Begin with Blessing

A Reading of Creation

Creation begins with a breath, 

the Spirit is moving 

over waters and the deep 

to declare what should be: 

both light and darkness, 

heavens and earth, 

sea and dry land, plants to grow 

and cosmic signs to guide, 

creatures to swim and creep and fly 

and run and multiply. 

They are chapters of good. 

Not perfect, mind you. 

Perfection was never the point. 

It is goodness God desires, 

goodness that pleases 

the One who creates.

Selah

And then another word: 

Let us make a human 

in our own likeness 

to order and tend all this goodness. 

This is how humankind is made; 

in the image of God, 

both male and female. 

They are formed 

from dusty earth and bone 

and filled with breath, wind, Spirit.

They are blessed by the charge 

to nurture every living thing. 

Selah

These chapters of creation 

are called very good. Still not perfect, 

but the blessing is found in knowing 

you are, and have always been, 

good enough. It is very good news. 

It is where Sabbath rest begins.

Selah

This poem is part of a liturgy I co-created with John Hermanson. The project was commissioned by Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Edina MN. The Genesis Liturgy takes us back to the beginning of things to wonder, “What happens when we begin with blessing?”