Esther, did you know?
That you would lay down a time for silence for a time to speak?
Mother, did you hope?
That you would be inherited by the meek?

For such a time as this.

Sister, did you know that you would cast away and gather stones 
for such a rainy reason 
at such a rainy season?

For such a time as this.

Father, if there’s a time for every purpose under
heaven, why are we surprised? 
Delighted by a time to be born. 
Stunned by a time to die. 
Haunted by a time for war. 
Perplexed by a time for love and a time for hate. 
(I swear it’s not too late)

When we see the victims of genocide turn into 
perpetrators 
at Bethlehem 
for Christmas 

Maybe, just maybe (we say) 
The stones and stars and sand we gather are 
Abraham’s sons — the best 
All of them – none more prodigal than the rest

Maybe, just maybe (we pray) 
What we do, say, feel, and plead 
Will bring haste to peace-not speed to greed 
Will bring unity – not uniformity 
Will bring light and piety – not tribalism and conformity 

Children, taste the grace that falls like rain 
It falls on the just and those just in pain 
Tango for rain while you sing that refrain

Salam Alaykum 
Shalom 
Amazing peace to you
And also to you

For such a time as this.

By Sandra Tola