A Place at the Table

A song which is sung at my church has been singing through me
the past week.
Yes, there is a place at the table for everyone.
It doesn't matter what color, what shape, or
what design you are.
There is a place for you here with me.

Normally I am not political on Delights of the Heart,
but my heart has been broken and not easily repaired.
Read the following words, which I am embracing.

For Everyone Born

A Place at the Table

“A Place at the Table” was evoked by the UN Declaration of Human Rights
and the authors involvement with Amnesty International.
It should be sung at a spirited pace.

For everyone born, a place at the table,

for everyone born, clean water and bread,

a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,

for everyone born, a star overhead,

and God will delight when we are creators

of justice and joy, compassion and peace:

yes, God will delight when we are creators

of justice, justice and joy!

For woman and man, a place at the table,

revising the roles, deciding the share,

with wisdom and grace, dividing the power,

for woman and man, a system that’s fair,

and God will delight when we are creators

of justice and joy, compassion and peace:

yes, God will delight when we are creators

of justice, justice and joy!

For young and for old, a place at the table,

a voice to be heard, a part in the song,

the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,

for young and for old, the right to belong,

and God will delight when we are creators

of justice and joy, compassion and peace:

yes, God will delight when we are creators

of justice, justice and joy!

For just and unjust, a place at the table,

abuser, abused, with need to forgive,

in anger, in hurt, a mindset of mercy,

for just and unjust, a new way to live,

and God will delight when we are creators

of justice and joy, compassion and peace:

yes, God will delight when we are creators

of justice, justice and joy!

For everyone born, a place at the table,

to live without fear, and simply to be,

to work, to speak out, to witness and worship,

for everyone born, the right to be free,

and God will delight when we are creators

of justice and joy, compassion and peace:

yes, God will delight when we are creators

of justice, justice and joy!

Shirley Erena Murray

Words © 1998 Hope Publishing Company

Happy weekend, dear friends!