When a house of worship burns, believers mourn. We grieve over burned-out spaces, lost books, damaged art and absent friends. We also remember: the satin touch of a well-worn wooden rail, the familiar heft of a hymnbook, the jeweled glow of stained glass in the sunlight, the warm smile of a dear old saint.
O Lord, teach us to treasure the memories.
In the face of all that’s lost,
may I treasure what remains.
Let not their memory be a host
of smoky fire-stains.
I hope I see bygone smiles
and feel the warmth of touch
that reach across uncounted miles;
Lord, do I ask too much?
I now these are safe with You
but I need them, don’t you see?
The memories can take me through
what was and is to be.
I know that you hold them dear,
but please, God, lend them here!
Amen! Lord, make it so.