One More Year

At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:1-9 

One More Year - A Prayer

Dear God give us one more year

to gather the family and hear them laugh

to dig around the roots and feed them again

to live beyond our limits and fears.

Dear Lord grant us one more cycle of seasons

let us nestle into the winter against the blowing snow

to plant early in the spring nurturing and caring

so that we might feed and restore our people.

Loving God give us another chance

to harmonize together side by side

to hold each one another as we weep

to light candles for those we have lost.

Tender Lord, give us more time to forgive

more time to repent and seek out those

who we have set aside and hurt with words

and actions so selfish and unkind.

Healing God, bind us together once more

and make us new people waking in the light

make us strong in love ready with service

and always grateful for the gifts you give.

Transforming Savior, hear our prayer

and in our darkness lift our bending bodies up

wrap us in your strength and power this season

that we might reach and bend our hearts to others. Amen