There Is Blessing in the Leaving

I am not currently in a time of leaving. But I have been there. (Haven’t we all?) Ten years ago, I walked away from my life in Chicago. After 15 years in the city, my husband and I packed up our belongings, said goodbye to the friends who had become our family and moved to Iowa to take this job at Prairiewoods. We were terrified. But we learned that there can be a multitude of blessings in the leaving, in the act of starting over.

Although I am not currently in a time of leaving, I am walking with several friends who are. Leaving a major relationship. Leaving a much-loved home. Leaving a long-served job. I am reminded of how hard the act of leaving can be, how disruptive. And so I offer here a blessing by Jan Richardson that has given me comfort, in case it gives them—and perhaps you—comfort as well.

A BLESSING IN THE DUST
by Jan Richardson, The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief

You thought the blessing
would come
in the staying.
In casting your lot
with this place,
these people.
In learning the art
of remaining,
of abiding.

And now you stand
on the threshold
again.
The home you had
hoped for,
had ached for,
is behind you—
not yours, after all.

The clarity comes
as small comfort,
perhaps,
but it comes:
illumination enough
for the next step.

As you go,
may you feel
the full weight
of your gifts
gathered up
in your two hands,
the complete measure
of their grace
in your heart that knows
there is a place
for them,
for the treasure
that you bear.

I promise you
there is a blessing
in the leaving,
in the dust shed
from your shoes
as you walk toward home—

not the one you left
but the one that waits ahead,
the one that already
reaches out for you
in welcome,
in gladness
for the gifts
that none but you
could bring.

(© Jan Richardson, Janrichardson.com)

What blessings have you found in leaving?

What might be reaching out to welcome you at this time?

—Andi Lewis, Prairiewoods Marketing Coordinator

photo taken at Prairiewoods by Jenifer Hanson