God, you sculpted the heavens and the earth,
you painted the sea and the stars.
You made everything and said it was good.
Still, I have to ask…
Why did you make hurricanes? And tornadoes?
Why cancer? Why weapons? Why war?
Perhaps the question I should be praying is,
Why do humans hurt each other
— and our planet?
How do we fix what’s broken?
How do we care for raging waters and hearts?
How do we engender peace?
How do we stay afloat amid such heavy issues?
What will this world become?
And God, I have other, albeit lesser, queries:
Why does my two-year-old always resist sleep? When will the bedtime battles and tantrums end?
Also, why are groceries so dang expensive? And houses? Why wrinkles? Why neurodiversity?
Why depression?
How come I’m still in pain, even months after that trauma? Will these scars ever disappear?
O God, despite the sin and muck in my life
and in creation, why do you keep blessing us
with sunsets? Why is autumn so stunning?
Why does the Lakeshore never fail
to settle my soul?
Why honeycrisp apples?
Why porcupines?
Why snow?
How is it that, whenever I watch my children sleep, I get a lump in my throat? When did I get so lucky and how come I’m often blind to this grace when they’re awake?
How do I keep them safe?
How will I ever let them go?
How do I carry all these fears,
worries,
joys,
hopes?
That’s the wrong question again, isn’t it?
How do I stop grasping for control and start clinging to you, God?
Will you make me an instrument of your peace?
Will you grant me eyes to see your glory?
Tag Archives: god
Blessing for another school year
For my second grader
May your backpack be light
and your friend circle widened,
May your mind be opened
and your mouth shut when the teacher is speaking!
May you multiply joy and create beauty,
keep wondering “Why?” and discovering answers,
May your lunch be nourishing
and may you actually eat it!
May you recess, leap, laugh, race
and be a good sport, no matter the outcome,
May you dwell less on competing
and more on doing your very best,
May you stay safe at school
and be a safehaven for others,
May you walk tall and stay humble,
be slow to anger and quick to apologize,
And when you stumble or cry,
may you feel comfort and care,
and remember you’re deeply loved
by your family and your Creator,
As you enter a new grade,
hold onto that “fresh minty feeling,”
and even when it wanes, know that
the work will eventually end,
the bell will ring and free time is coming,
Remember another school year — with its highs, lows,
laughter and tears — is part of your becoming.
Erin Strybis 