Finish Well

With just two months left in my interim at Edenton Street UMC, I'm reminded this morning of a poem that I wrote when ending another tenure as a church musician. 

Finish well this chapter

That draws to an end.

Write the final paragraph

With kindest words

And well-done tasks

And gentlest thoughts

And respectfully put the period

Quietly on the last line.

                   May 24, 2007 © Nancy Gerst

Where will my journey take me next? I'm very excited about some opportunities lying on the road ahead. God knows the path and all the details--there is such joy in that thought! Here's Stephen Paulus' exquisitely beautiful Pilgrims' Hymn. Listening to that this morning is a source of good thoughts about days to come. God is good all the time!

PILGRIMS' HYMN (text by Michael Dennis Brown*)

Even before we call on Thy name

To ask Thee, O God,
When we seek for the words to glorify Thee,
Thou hear'st our prayer;
Unceasing love, O unceasing love,
Surpassing all we know.

Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.

Even with darkness sealing us in,
We breathe Thy name,
And through all the days that follow so fast,
We trust in Thee;
Endless Thy grace, O endless Thy grace,
Beyond all mortal dream.

Both now and forever,
And unto ages and ages,
Amen.

Thomas Cole, PILGRIM OF THE WORLD ON HIS JOURNEY

*Michael Dennis Brown also wrote the lyrics 

to the Stephen Paulus anthem THE ROAD HOME