- by Rachel Hall
@rachelhallpoetry
this one’s for the church-goers
and for those
who used to be
want to be
or are still undecided
for the Sunday hat wearers
and potluck attenders
for the front line- first up- sanctuary greeters
and the last in, last row first-timers
this one’s for you
for the zoomed in baptists
for whom sanctuary service
feels less than sanctuary
and the calloused knees
struggling to hear
God speak
for the passionate evangelical
and deconstructing millennial
just desperate for a faith
with hands
for the silent saints
praying under their breath
over unassuming souls in their midst
and the man
who stands on a street corner
yelling into a microphone
because he knows no other way
This one’s for you
for the 9 year old Awana star
and the parents who drive her
for the 49 year old single
still trying to find their place
for the single parent
raising daughters
for the good girls
without good fathers
for the adopters
building new, beautiful families
one long, intentional day at a time
for the prodigal son who
has yet to return home
for the one who never strayed
but resents the one who did
for the mother who prays daily
for the salvation of her children
for the children who
don’t want to go home
for Christmas
for the brave tongues
with questions
that feel too big
to hold
and the ones trying their best
to hold
space for them
as they wait
and wait
and wait
for something like
feels like an answer
this is for the teenager
who finds belonging on
tiktok
but loneliness on Sundays
why is there loneliness on Sundays
this is for the pastor who practices
more than they preach
and for those who have been asked to stay
strong when they needed to be weak
this is
for the seminary-drop outs
and bible-belt burn outs
and for the fired up souls
faithfully setting the table
for a seventy-seventh chance
this one’s for you
this one’s for you
I could speak a thousand lines
that would all have different hearers
interpreted versions
reimagined
then left out to dry
my words
are old paper
a second from dusting
in a world
thats gone digital
i speak
so that these thoughts might find their way to you
through audio waves
and mp4 conversions
might convert
the interpretations of the gospel from mis-heard musings
to radical hope
a hope so big
we sometimes miss it
like the air all around us
sustaining our lungs
but never thanked
truth is an ocean
and i come to you
with an eye dropper
leave a few droplets
for your examination
like
is it possible that God is good
even when His people are not?
what if the church
is meant to be a light house
for the wandering soul
within us all?
And what if the Bible is simply true? if every black and red word
is a way that God is
sharing Himself with you?
So for those whom the word
“church” makes you flinch
and for those whom the word
“church” makes you praise
to the thinkers and dreamers
and Sunday school teachers
and controversial ideators
for the humans
with beating hearts
still wanting a seat
at the table
may you take the time to ponder let
faith roll around in your mouth a while
really see what it tastes like
in its rawest form
not just attached to your past experiences
or Sunday service teachings
ask the questions
you’re terrified to find answers to
see if God meets you
somewhere along the way
the church
is not perfect
but no matter where you find
yourself remember
it takes two sides of a coin
to make change
and you are home
this body is better
for having you
so
for those showing up
for those looking around
with their own two eyes
to see what light they can find
for the ones trying hard to wrap
arms all the way around this world
and for those who wish this world would
wrap arms all the way around them
to all of my brothers
and all of my sisters
the One you seek
has never stopped seeking you
come meet Him
as you are
see Him gather with His people
we are but one, broken body
made whole
by the One broken body
and you are loved
come belong here
this one’s for you