The Parish at which I minister has a lively, tiny group composed of two women.

Our mission is to raise awareness around the difficult topics of Domestic and Sexual Violence.

We began this effort seven or eight years ago.  Throughout that time we have sponsored a Take Back the Night Event, various film/discussions, prayer services, and last Fall, a Peace Walk.  During the months of October and April we print awareness blurbs for the Church Bulletin; we rouse the parish to wear denim on Denim Day, and we create restroom displays with information cards and pamphlets for those patrons who may be in need of shelter and help.

For a few years, we grappled with a title for this small group.

Then, my partner in awareness attended an event known as “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.”  She was inspired by a phrase mentioned in a speech that day–“Restore To Wholeness.” The words sculpted a vision of our mission, and so that is what we call this little ministry.

My reflection today speaks to the hole in one’s being, the longing for wholeness, the ache that only the Greatest Healing Love, the Ultimate Restorer of Wholeness, can fill:

.

God– Where and who are you?

The one who is near

The distant divine

Present, or not

Palpable, but elusive

Breath of love

Quiet as death.

I want to reach out

to be enfolded in your integrity.

I ache for your name, your face, your heart of love.

Mine is so empty.

To whom might I entrust

this cracked and shattered self-vision?

Is it you, nameless one?

Are you the healer, the one who fed the thousands and gave sight to the blind?

The one who restored the woman hemorrhaging?

Then hear me, heal me,

Dry my bleeding heart and oozing soul;

Fill my emptiness and

Restore me to wholeness,

O restorer of Life.

©Nancie Chmielewski updated 4/22/15