I'm bathing my soul in D Smoke and Beyonce's 'The Gift', some India.Arie and some Jill Scott for the rest of the evening while I work on some important and healing things for life and living.

I am glad that what was removed was replaced.

And I am not okay.

Because that removal is not the only harm that happened. It rarely is.

Why? Not for any violation and failure to fulfill, but because the Conference’s first complete lack of and then present, ahem, COVID-19 protocols(?) make it impossible for me to attend in-person ordination service…as an immunocompromised person…in the midst of a yet ongoing global pandemic.

In understandably seeking a greater sense of peace in this year, many of us are asking that the human concept of time be kind to us.

This unfortunately deflects from the reality that humanity is our greatest harm to ourselves. It is humanity who must agree to heal and change as we are called and able in this next year—not the simple passage of time.

For those who believe in genuine healing and transformation, we offer this meditation prayer to better live as blessing in 2021, rather than to seek blessing that is already all around us.

We best receive blessing by learning to live it ourselves.

I see a city allowing itself to die, and hoping that that death translates itself into new life when it's just...death. I really wish the people of Nashville knew that they are worth more than the wealth and entertainment factor we project to others.