On June 29, we focused on the importance of being WITH one another in this time when so much divides. To be with someone: is to come alongside, to accompany, to be present.
In Exodus 1, two midwives - Shiphrah and Puah, chose to fear God over the pressure of the ruthless King, to do what they do — support and come alongside women as they give birth.
Mid-wife, literally means: “with-women.” Since mid means “with”, these women provide an image for all of us on how to live in the midst of a ruthless empire.
What does it mean to be “mid-neighbor”, “mid-colleague”, “mid-family”, “mid-stranger”?
In our current time when the news swirling around us creates fear, division, and tendency toward isolation, it is important to take time to be attentive to what it means to be “with” someone. To give thanks for those who are “with” you is also vital. We are connected by God Emmanuel - God WITH us, whose love flows through us to create community that is life-giving and brings transformative change even when systems are unjust.
Spend time asking: “Where are you ‘mid-wifing’ to bring new life and wholeness?
Here is the prayer Emily Huff provided on Sunday, 6/29:
Psalm to the Midwife
Be midwife to our hopes, Oh Lord, make midwives of us all!
You will know when it is time to bring to birth the new creation.
The signs will be all around you, urging, insisting; now is the time.
You will have to know just when to bear down and concentrate on one thing only.
It takes labor, hard, hard labor to bring forth something new.
Be midwife to our hopes, Oh Lord, make midwives of us all!
You have to know just when to push for something that is worth fighting for.
If you push too soon, the dream, so close to fulfillment, may be stillborn.
You have to know how hard to push when something new is about to happen.
If you push too hard, you may be too exhausted or too discouraged to continue on,
and resistance may rise or fear may take hold, convincing you it’s safer not to try.
Be midwife to our hopes, Oh Lord, make midwives of us all!
You have to know how to cut the cord and how to let go of what has been…
For what will be will be different and it will take time to adjust.
Be midwife to our hopes, Oh Lord, make midwives of us all!
You have to know how to wait for things to settle after the dream is born,
and how to handle the consequences – clean up the mess and then move on.
How good it is to bring to birth, or to help another bring to birth,
and how good it is to deliver the dream, let us nurture it to fulfillment!!
Be midwife to our hopes, Oh Lord, make midwives of us all!
Adapted from Woman Witness by Miriam Therese Winter
St. Brigid was a woman in Ireland in the 5th century who lived a life of “withing” as she created ministries of hospitality and generosity. Here is a prayer for us from Brigid that invites us to trust that our lives offer the warmth of God’s love to one another:
Kindling the Fire
This evening as we kindle the fire on our hearth,
We pray that the flame of God’s love may burn in
our hearts and in the hearts of all we meet each day.
We pray that no envy or malice,
no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.
We pray that indifference and apathy,
contempt and pride,
may not pour like cold water on the fire.
Instead, may the spark of God’s love
light the love in our hearts,
that it may burn brightly through each day.
And may we warm those who are lonely,
whose hearts are cold and lifeless,
so that all may know the comfort of God’s love
Where do you experience the spark of God’s love today? Share it!