Reach Out and Touch the Hem

Childhood dress from my Grandmother Rovilla Lindsey
and handmade lace apron from her grandmother.

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A Hymn For Mother's Day

In Boldness

In boldness, look to God for help,
like women folk who dared:
To ask that Jesus heal a child,
that crumbs of grace be shared,
that outcast ones be welcomed
to the feast that God has prepared.

In boldness, lean on God for strength,
and healing from disease,
of mind and body, hard and ill
whose bondage Jesus frees.
Reach out and touch the hem of Christ,
and gather spirit's ease.

In boldness, learn of God the truth
of Mary's better part:
by fear and censure undeterred,
determined in her heart
to kneel at Jesus' feet and learn
the wisdom he imparts.

In boldness, love, nor count the cost.
Confront the world's harsh stare:
like one who washed the feet of Christ,
and wiped them with her hair,
poured perfume to anoint her Lord,
and left love's fragrance there.

by Mary Louise Bringle
from Joy and Wonder, Love and Longing

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A Song For the Weekend

Don't Think Twice It's All Right

Well, it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If'n you don't know by now
And it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It don’t matter anyhow

When the rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window, and I'll be gone
You're the reason I'm a-traveling on
But don't think twice, it's all right

Well it ain't no use in turning on your light, babe
That light I never knowed
No it ain't no use in turning on your light, babe
I'm on the dark side of the road

Still I wish there was somethin' you could do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talking anyway
don't think twice, it's all right

It ain't no use in calling out my name, gal
Like you never did  before
And it ain't no use in calling out my name, gal
I can't hear you any more

I'm a-thinking and a-wonderin' walking down the road
I once loved a woman, a child I am told
I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul
don't think twice, it's all right

So long honey, baby
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
But Goodbye is too good a word, babe
So I'll just say fare thee well

I ain't a-saying you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don't mind
You just sorted wasted my precious time
But don't think twice, it's all right

Music & lyrics by Bob Dylan

I've been singing this song for a few decades now without ever really thinking about the message of forgiveness in the lyrics. The forgiveness, without blame, isn't for not turning on the light, not talking, not calling out my name, always wanting more. It's for wasting my time.

I forgive. Can I say it and mean it?

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Happy Mother's Day!