A Concord Pastor Comments: Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 8/12

Photo by Mark Penta

While on vacation the next two weeks I'll be offering, in addition to some new posts, some older ones based on the photography of caricaturist and friend Mark Penta.

A Scallop Shell's Prayer

Most shell collectors pass me by, Lord,
and if by some mistake they pick me up
they toss me aside or back into the sea...

You see: I'm imperfect, I'm uneven.
Asymmetrical is what I am, Lord.

I'm broken, chipped,
not whole the way I used to be before
some oceanic accident took a piece of me
that's gone forever, now swept far away
by currents much too strong for me to challenge...

And so I've lived by Falmouth's shores for years.
I've been beached more times than I can count
but then a wave will wash me back
and back and forth I've gone until
the waters, sand and rocks
have smoothed my jagged edge,
and rounded my rough side...

You've given me a beauty not quite perfect,
asymmetrical, uneven and yet whole:
for I am the shell I am, Lord...

You've buffed and polished me with care
until what's gone and what has healed
are now as one and part of who I am
and though I miss what I have lost

I am yet whole
unto you and to myself...

Most collectors only see what I have lost

but you've taught me to see what I still have,

who I still am, who I've become

since that oceanic accident took a piece of me

that's now forever gone...

I am the shell I am, Lord,
and in your sight
no more, no less am I...

I see what's there, still there, and thank you

for the colors of my fan-spread ribs, my strength,

and the fine brush strokes tracing lacy hints
of your abiding presence...

Yes, most collectors pass me by

and if by some mistake they pick me up
I'm tossed aside or back into the sea
but you have saved me, Lord, and kept me
and for this I give you thanks:
my imperfect, asymmetrical, uneven
heartfelt praise
and thanks...

Amen.