Dr. Abby's and Rev. Carol's Place

Photo by Donald Crawford Rowe

Not an original reflection, but wonderful words for every saint on safari:

The Breastplate of St. Patrick
I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever,
by power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation;
his baptism in the Jordan river;
his death on cross for my salvation;
his bursting from the spiced tomb;
his riding up the heavenly way;
his coming at the day of doom:
I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself the power
of the great love of cherubim;
the sweet “Well done” in judgment hour;
the service of the seraphim;
confessors’ faith, apostles’ word,
the patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls;
all good deeds done unto the Lord,
and purity of virgin souls.
I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the starlit heaven,
the glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea,
around the old eternal rocks.
I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.
[Against the demon snares of sin,
the vice that gives temptation force,
the natural lusts that war within,
the hostile men that mar my course;
of few or many, far or nigh,
in every place, and in all hours
against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.
Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
against false words of heresy,
against the knowledge that defiles
against the heart's idolatry,
against the wizard's evil craft,
against the death-wound and the burning
the choking wave and poisoned shaft,
protect me, Christ, till thy returning.]
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the Name,
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
Of whom all nature hath creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
praise to the Lord of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.

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The Atlantic Ocean is immense in its beauty and unfathomable in its power.  Even those who know it well, from years of living near or on it, can not know it all.  It can not be contained in any of the ways that humans contemplate.  

Yet there are those who attempt to keep it to themselves, as though, by refusing to share its beauty and its power, they gain more importance and more power for themselves.

We drove the coastal road for many miles, just hoping for glimpses of the ocean, and we found a few.  But there are miles in the residential areas that are blocked by hedges and trees, presumably to reduce erosion, and to insure privacy for the residents.  The ocean becomes their private playground, not available to the common folk.

Gated entries add to the reminder that strangers are not welcomed here.

But, every now and then, a public beach invites all, and reminds us that something so vast and wonderful cannot be owned, isolated, or contained.

I wonder what would happen if our hearts, and our churches, and our lives would throw open the gates, tear down the hedges, and welcome ALL into God’s wonderful ocean of love.    How many lonely, lost, forsaken people might enter a safari into grace and peace.

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We have found our church home. 

After weeks of wandering, and having visited six or more congregations, we have returned to, and are settling into, St. David’s in the Pines Episcopal Church in Wellington, Florida.

It is not about the preaching, although that is biblical and well done.  It is not about the music, even though it is wonderful.  It is not about the style of worship, which feels like a foreign land to me.  It is not about the programs and activities, although we are welcomed to participate.

It is about the people.  Father Steven Thomas is gentle and compassionate, like our West Virginia pastor, Bert Coffman.  The congregation is phenomenal. Their love for the needy and disadvantaged is evidenced in many ways.  A diverse group, of many races and ethnic origins, they share the love of Christ with one another, and with the stranger, who is a stranger only once.  I know few names, as yet, but I recognize the faces, and they smile and speak in recognition of my face.  Today, walking down the aisle after worship, I was startled as a gentleman caught my arm and hugged me, saying, “Have a wonderful week!” 

And that is why, for this portion of my personal safari, St. David’s is my home.  Loving relationship is the answer to many of life’s questions.

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