As they continued walking and talking,
a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them,
and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven.
—2 Kings 2.11
Migration.
Pastors leave flocks,
sad or glad to go,
or both, and move on.
Kids graduate, chariots of fire
and whirlwinds separate them,
mixing feelings.
Mantles are passed.
Refugees stream over borders
with little knapsacks
of songs and trauma.
Hearts are transplanted.
Generations branch and root.
The world’s eyes get hooked on loss
but the pilgrim’s heart is confident
in the grace of the mystery
in which everything
is taken up.
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net
June 26, 2019