By The Rev. Susan Balfour

Beloved,

Greetings in the name of our Christ, whose love saves us and binds us to one another. I give thanks to God for you; each day I find new reasons to rejoice in you!

Many years ago, I took a drive up the Eastern Shore of Virginia, on up into Delaware. Somewhere along that route, I spotted a small, vine-covered, broken-down clapboard building and for some reason, I decided to stop and take a closer look.

The roof was caved in, the walls broken and bent, the windows broken, and door half off its hinges. And above the window was a sign: “The House of Prayer”. 

It struck me so deeply, this tangible metaphor for what happens when we neglect our own prayer life. The roof falls in, the walls fracture, the windows break. It can no longer safely house us, and needs to be lovingly and attentively repaired, the vines pulled away and the door swinging easily open, beckoning us to enter at any time.

I photographed The House of Prayer, and it hangs in my office, a visual reminder to myself that my own house of prayer needs loving attention, lest it fall into disrepair.

Seek blessing in blessing others.

In Christ,

Rev. Susan