<p>Dancing the days,…</p><p>Hello, Friends! Healing happens in all kinds of ways, sometimes imperceptible, sometimes dramatically visible. Those of us who wish to be healing agents also benefit from that same energy being extended our way. It’s easy to forget, sometimes, that when we reach out for connection, when we express a need for companionship and support, when we ourselves demonstrate need for healing, we give others a gift—the priceless opportunity to care. Such was the case for me this week. Of all my friends and collegial acquaintances in the ministry, there are two women I count as especially dear. I sent an email message to both of them last week, just saying that the last few months had been hard, and that I wanted them to know. The loving messages sent in response have buoyed my spirits, and confirmed what I know to be true of spiritual companionship. It’s not about offering answers or advice, or about cheering the other up or putting a positive spin on things. Soul-level friendship is about honest accompaniment, a willingness, as one of my friends said, to carry part of the burden with and for our sister or brother. There is no gift sweeter, no balm more healing than this—and today I am stronger, more able to be with whatever comes in our family’s journey with Adam, because of two beautiful women I’m honored to call friends. In our faith community we have all kinds of spiritual connections, and we know that we can’t be equally close to every member of our church family. But some aspects of that kind of genuine caring are at the core of our calling here, and I hope we remember to care tenderly for one another, as we expand and extend our compassion’s reach to the great wide world. I hope we keep building each other up in love. I look forward to building with you this Sunday, and all our days to come. </p><p>Shalom, Sarah+ </p>