The past 2 months have probably been the most difficult of my 440 months so far. These sort of things always seem to hit you when you’re down. My “spiritual walk” (excuse the Christian jargon) has not been a good walk… faith not so faithful… hope not so hopeful. And along comes Kai, my son. What an unlikely and “painful blessing” he has been.

But I do know that God was faithful to me when He opened the doors to a little church in downtown Colorado Springs last year. Around December of 2007 we walked into the International Anglican Church at Shove Chapel. My first time to ever step foot in an Anglican church. But this group of people drew us in with their care for the poor, globally-minded prayers, sincere upward worship and serious attention to Scripture. It has been this group of people who have walked with us through this difficult time and have been the physical presence of Jesus with us. I am so grateful. So with the help of our friend Danita, I’ll share this original poem that so vividly describes the heart of our church.

Communion
by Danita Jenae

Row by row, we rise up and slowly walk down the aisle-
we file in together the way fingers do when lovers hold hands.
We come forward to eat from your table, to remember you.
You are the God of the broken.

She walks forward, weary of fighting for her marriage.
He just got home from the war.
He has no home to sleep in, but he rests here.
Take. Eat. This is my body broken for you.

He is a refugee, lost much to be here.
She is eight months along after eight years of trying, and
he just lost his job.
The body of Christ, broken for you.

He tries to muster up some faith, wondering if this is really it.
She has just been diagnosed, but somehow she is stronger in hope.
They long for a baby who just won’t come.
The blood of Christ, poured out for you.

She comes early to pray over every person who will sit in every chair.
He has buried his own child, and yet is a father to many.
She’s two and a half feet tall and dances in the aisles to worship.
Though we are many, we are one body because we all share in one bread.

You are the God of the broken. You raise us up from the dead.
Take. Eat. This is my body broken for you.
You are the God of the broken.

-Russ