“I said it to the skinny girl who reached for a hug, the youth leader with tired red eyes, the chaperones who mouthed words of thanks.”

So many phrases could fit this.

“You can do this.” “You’re amazing.” “I’m glad you’re here.”

I’ve started reading Rachel Held Evans’ searching for sunday and this popped up further along in the book. Per Linda’s instructions I closed my eyes and opened the book to a random page so I have very little context to offer you. I skimmed just enough before and after to learn she’s talking about offering communion – so not all that much to go on, really, but I love the rhythm of it.

Because we’re all lining up for something we need, sometimes searching for what we don’t even know is missing. Love. Truth. Compassion. Someone who cares about me for no reason at all even though I’m walking around as an incredibly flawed human being and have messed up a dozen times by breakfast every single day.

We all need something. But we all need to give something, too.

What a world this would be if everybody took that to heart.

Linda hosts Stream of Consciousness Saturday. This week’s prompt is “open book, point, write.” Pick up the closest book to you when you sit down to write your post. Close your eyes, open the book, and place your finger on the page. Whatever word or phrase your finger lands on, write about it. Enjoy!