My friend Kerry Smith, a Methodist minister, shared this blessing in her church newsletter. Kerry found it on Kate Bowler’s podcast.
Blessed are you, dear one, who have been told you are too big, too loud, too brown, too weird, too old, too much.
You belong here.
Blessed are you, you who navigate your workplace while juggling parenting and pregnancy, aging and technological hurdles that leave you always playing catch-up.
Blessed are you who have hidden your symptoms or been quiet about your pain; whose gender, race, or disability has taught you institutional gymnastics.
Blessed are you who make space for others, who notice the hurts–said and unsaid.
And you who make institutions bigger, more generous, and set longer tables for everyone to be seated.
–Joy