Once again, the writings of Tom Ehrich speak to me powerfully. Today, he says, "I have learned over the years not to project my own faith experiences and preferences onto others. Faith is a journey of infinite variety. Anyone who says faith has to proceed a certain way, follow certain rules or attain certain ends is just a bully trying to take away your freedom in order to fill his own empty hole. Some gather in Gothic splendor, some on rocks beside lakes, some in processions led by teenagers, and some in pews they hope will become friendly. Some don't gather at all, but say solitary prayer to a God who knows solitude. Some wait to be drawn outside. Some have left Sunday religion to search for faith elsewhere. We are all pilgrims making our way as best we can. God sings to us in the many languages of our hearts. Each year is different. Each phase of life is different. Each year the story sounds different. And God always has something fresh to say, some word that draws us outside ourselves and into God's presence. "
And I wonder: The trick is to listen, isn't it?