break my heart for what breaks Yours

i've been invited to deliver the message for the united methodist women (umw) sunday worship service in april. being the daughter of the umw president and the church organist brings it's own challenges, that's for sure. how could i turn down my mother when she asked me to speak a year in advance? and now my father is asking for scripture reading and key messages of the sermon so he can plan the music for the service accordingly.

all that to say, i've been thinking a lot lately about what that sermon will be about. i've been thinking about all of the opportunities i have been given by the united methodist women organization and about the individual united methodist women who have touched my life in such profound ways.

i think about going to summer camp with my friends as a kid and the united methodist women's scholarships to the camping funds, making those camps possible.

i think about the united methodist woman who connected me with the curriculum writing school at the united methodist publishing house when i was in college.

i think about the world health seminar at the church center of the united nations that i attended for free because i worked for one of the thirteen universities founded by united methodist women.

i think about the united methodist woman at the general board of church and society who opened my eyes to the world of social justice and especially to the every day work we can do to eradicate poverty.

i think about that transformational weekend spent in that beautiful building that united methodist women built on capital hill because they knew they had to be IN it in order to change it.

i think about the words written along the ceiling of the main lobby in that building: "and what does the Lord require of you? to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." ~ micah 6:8

which brings me back to last week's challenge.

"what breaks your heart? what makes you want to stand up for what you believe in? and what do you have to see everyday to remind you of what's important?" ~ sam

my challenge was to sacrifice my surroundings in order to remind myself of what i believe in and the causes i hold dear. so, for my home i created these:

and, to remind me why i do the work that i do, for my office i made this:

it all makes me think about a beautiful song by eddie from ohio - walk humbly son:
walk humbly, son
walk humbly now
and cherish every step
for a life well spent
on this earth we're lent
will be marked by the void you have left
 
may you conquer not curse challenges
may you hold back the dark like a dam
may you lead your life with lion's roar
may you leave it like a lamb
don't await rewards for your good deeds
a reward won't make them good
don't await judgment of any foes
they'll receive just what they should
 
when you find the axis of this world
don't tread too far inside
run away as far as you think you can
be well and enjoy the ride
walk humbly, son
and store your pride
when you need strength later on
for your life's work will be judged if earth
is saddened when you have gone
walk humbly, son
walk humbly now
and forget not where you are from
may you go further than those before
and provide for those to come
 
will you walk humbly, son