I noticed that the meditation from Thurman got cut off in editing, so it has been updated with the full text and you can read it here.
This touchstone reflects on a piece of this meditation”
“Brood over our spirits, Our Father, Blow upon whatever dream Thou hast for us”
This Advent I have been lingering on the guiding Black star, the birth of a Black star, and the pregnant hope of Black stars…
Today is my birthday.
For today’s touchstone, I am thinking about how my birthdays have always been reflecting back on what I’ve “accomplished.” But today, I look back on my ancestors and their “dreams deferred.” My quest to understand "vocation" and the dreams of my ancestors are deeply intertwined.
I wonder how they overcame and what they saw at the edge.
I wonder how they danced, laughed, and baked bread.
I wonder if, in wondering, they looked up at the stars and saw a smiling Black God.
I wonder where in their bodies they felt the rumblings of freedom, and if they were overcome with the sensation of “restless churnings.”
Holding on to this blessing as I “run into a new year.” May it serve as a blessing to you:
You who are filled with restless churnings,
May you find space to remember that the Spirit holds on to dreams deferred. May you feel that brooding presence of a loving God, who sees your dream-windedness and steadies your hands.
Hey Courtney! I am so glad that you asked this question. Brooding is a concept I’ve been working with all semester and will at some point write a bit more about. But to begin, genesis 1:1-4 talks about the spirit hovering over the formless void meaning of creation. In some translations, instead of hovering, it’ll say brooding. My favorite definitions of the word have to do with protecting which in the gospels Jesus says I will send a comforter to you referring to the spirit. Howard Thurman uses this word a lot, and I find it interesting that he used to describe the presence of his grandmother and his life. And it’s such a beautiful idea that Thurman would understand the spiritual presence of God using the same word, he would use to describe the presence of his grandmother. I’m looking forward to writing a bit more about this where he Thurmond uses it. Thank you for engaging! Wishing you a gentle landing this advent season.🙏🏾
So sorry for any spelling errors in this response. I’m currently typing with my voice, because my hands are exhausted from typing papers. But I was too excited by this question to not respond!
I’m struggling with the term brooding in the touchstone? Is someone able to explain? I’ve tried using google and no luck.
Hey Courtney! I am so glad that you asked this question. Brooding is a concept I’ve been working with all semester and will at some point write a bit more about. But to begin, genesis 1:1-4 talks about the spirit hovering over the formless void meaning of creation. In some translations, instead of hovering, it’ll say brooding. My favorite definitions of the word have to do with protecting which in the gospels Jesus says I will send a comforter to you referring to the spirit. Howard Thurman uses this word a lot, and I find it interesting that he used to describe the presence of his grandmother and his life. And it’s such a beautiful idea that Thurman would understand the spiritual presence of God using the same word, he would use to describe the presence of his grandmother. I’m looking forward to writing a bit more about this where he Thurmond uses it. Thank you for engaging! Wishing you a gentle landing this advent season.🙏🏾
So sorry for any spelling errors in this response. I’m currently typing with my voice, because my hands are exhausted from typing papers. But I was too excited by this question to not respond!
Happy happy birthday, Rose!! 💗🎉