A Collection of Blessings

For teachers, for playing ball, for small towns, and remembering God’s presence

On February 23rd, I read a post from my friend

Lorren Lemmons

where she mentioned the #100DayProject. The premise: do something creative every day for 100 days. I had heard others talk about this project in years past and how they committed to practicing their art in small ways everyday. But there was something on this particular February day that struck me: I wanted to take part. I read a few other posts about the 100 days and when it started (THAT DAY) and I committed to writing a blessing everyday. I didn’t overthink or try to talk myself out of this, I took the first step and that night wrote one blessing. From that night on, I’d grab my journal and pen and write a blessing. Sometimes it was just a few lines or random thoughts, but other days a full blessing emerged. And now 100 days later, I haven’t missed one day. I have 100 blessings or starts of blessings, prayers, and collections of memories from these last few months. And perhaps more importantly, the heart of my blessings: God’s presence amidst the hard and holy work of our lives.

Blessed are the teachers
the ones who come in early and stay late
who work weekends
planning and grading
praying for their students
and worry and wonder
whether they’re doing enough. 

Blessed are the teachers
who see the student with their head low
and offer a warm smile 
and speak the words: I’m so glad to see you
the ones who study and read and take extra classes
learning the best techniques
and how to meet each student where they are
who know which kids need a friend
and the buddy packs of food for the weekend
and the ones whose only relief is found in the school building.

Blessed are the teachers 
who take on other duties:  dressing in character
morning dance party coordinator
nose-wiper and bandage-wrapper.

Blessed are the teachers 
who field emails from parents
prep for state tests
decorate bulletin boards 
answer student questions: 
Can I go to the bathroom? 
When is this due? 
Is this for a grade? 

Blessed are our teachers
loving and raising up leaders
our hope and heart for the future.

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A Blessing For Baseball and Softball Players

You pack your gear
lace your cleats
sling the backpack over your shoulders
and walk toward the field.

With every toss and catch
as you run across the outfield
and in every swing,
keep your head held high.

Say thank you to the coaches
who offer their time and skills.

Cheer for your teammates
for the team is made of “we”
Let’s go
You got this
You’re doing great.

This is where you learn to work together
to keep chasing the ball
to get up when you fall
to lose with grace.

May the hours on the field
teach you the power of being on a team
of encouraging your teammates
of showing up when you’re defeated
of growing and stretching
of trying something new
of feeling the arms around you in a huddle
and the power in hands on top of one another
chanting 3, 2, 1
play ball!

---

Blessed are the small towns
where healing and hope
dance in the streets
to local musicians
and children play freeze tag
and greet their friends
where restaurants and stores donate their food and time
where neighbors share a meal
and open their hearts in generosity.

Blessed are the small towns
where the words
cancer
grief
loss
sickness
medical bills
are no match
for the power of community.

Blessed are the ones who proclaim:
We’re in this together
You’re not alone.

This is Cole Camp, Missouri.
This is community.