Twenty three years ago today I was ordained priest at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church. Happy anniversary to me!
That January day, freeze warnings were out, and folks dear to me traveled over treacherous roads to be there to support me and Christ's Church.
The morning was spent with my family folding worship booklets. Early afternoon, some women of the parish gave me a manicure. The children of the parish sang the prelude. The preacher, who had been my spiritual director while I was in seminary, told me to be:
Ready. Willing. Unable.
Today, this anniversary of being as ready as possible. As willing as I can. Unable to do anything, without God's help, I started the day at the hospital praying with a parishioner before surgery. Afterwards, I had quiet time in my prayer room at home, incense lit, preparing to officiate at the burial of a parishioner's father. I'll have lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant with the woman who was the chair of the Search Committee that has led me to eighteen years serving as rector of St. Mary's.
Praying another year to be ready. To be wiling. To be unable.
