This is a story about a family of wounded hearts,
but mostly it’s a story about a man…
a man with a vision…
a vision of a chapel without walls.
Some of us came here with bruised hearts and battered souls.
Some of us came here at the end of our rope, when we had lost all hope.
Some of us came in search of meaning, in search of belonging.
And this man, this being of light, tended to our battle worn souls with
words that soothed:
“Just breathe”;
with words that comforted:
“you are loved”;
with words that transfused our souls with faith and hope:
“there is a purpose for you in this world, for we are all ministers of God.”
This man has given us a chance to shine in the spotlight,
has given us a platform to have our words heard.
This man sees the light within us all
even when we have trouble seeing it ourselves.
This is a story about a family of weary souls,
but mostly, it’s about a man who had the hands
to build this chapel without walls.
This has become your chapel without walls which rebuilds broken hearts
and tends to wounded souls.
Your chapel without walls has brought love to hearts fraught with
loneliness.
Your chapel without walls has brought peace to souls fraught with fear.
Your chapel without walls has brought love to hearts fraught with grief.
Your chapel without walls has brought sanctuary to those wounded by
life’s hard knocks.
You, Rev. Dr. Jim,
gave this community of wounded warriors
a safe place to walk each other home,
and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
You, Rev. Dr. Jim,
gave this community of battle worn souls
a blessed and holy sanctuary of light,
and we thank you, we thank you, we thank you.
