# Living Psalm 121 for March 1, (UCC Women's Week) Maria Mankin

I know God as Mother 
because She tells me 
my foot will never slip 
when She is by my side,
my hand warm in Hers
as I follow dutifully along.

She does not rest, 
even when I am so weary
I can barely stand,
even when I am sick 
and scared in the depths 
of night, She is here.

When I am flooded with worry
and filled with doubts
about how to rise up 
and fight for justice,
She keeps pace with me,
never faltering, or growing tired
of my asking the wrong questions.

I know God as Mother,
and these days, too, 
as Crone. She is wise 
and patient, but also 
just a little wicked 
in the very best sort of ways,
brewing within our chests 
a necessary revolution
in the people of God. 

She has seen and heard it all
and still, She shows up for us,
but the time has come again,
as it does, and it does, and it does,
for us to be brave. 

The mountain towers over us.
The wind is howling at our backs,
and the cold will steal our breath away.

Her hand is still in reach though.
She still walks a step ahead, 
leading us to follow the path
or make our own -
whatever it takes to walk the way 
of Love. God is here, in the stones.
We are not alone.