Scripture: Philippians 4:8; Luke 8:4–15

“Faith groups are trying to make sure people are not alone, that they have what they need to survive, and to know that they are not forgotten. When we look for them, we can see people all over, living out noble character.” –Deborah Climer, Fruit of the Vine

Query: Where have you seen someone demonstrating noble characteristics?

To Myself

I belong from a family of Scotland

From Ireland and England

Island people and seafarers

I belong from the ones who went west

From Oklahoma and Michigan

From the ones who came on the Oregon Trail

From the girl in a tent in the logging camp

Next to the grand Columbia

I belong from the ones who met

Making music together and never stopped

Who wrote my name at the very first

And carried me as long as I needed

I belong from the one who taught me to climb trees

Who built forts and wrote codes and drove me across town

And drove away when the time came

I belong for the one, chosen of heart

Who carried me west beyond the shores of my home

For the one who showed me the Southern Cross

And remains with me in a life of our own making

I belong for my daughters who are becoming from me

I belong with the dearest always friends

Who walk so near

I belong here in this web of belonging

We hold these threads for each other

Each of us at our own center

–Bethany Lee, The Breath Between