For the last few years, United Methodists have been experiencing the agony of schism within our denomination. Now finally, it feels like we might be at the end of the process of separation. May it not be so forever.

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After the divorce

I’ll hand you the keys to what was my car

And as you drive away I’ll pray

That its wheels fall off from underneath you

Once you’ve driven halfway down

The highway of your self-indulgent surety

And that when you wave down a passerby

They’ll take one look at the mess you’ve made for yourself

And offer this simple piece of advice:

You should have stayed at home.

After the divorce

I’ll set my phone to block your calls

So that when you realize your mistake

You’ll be halfway to nowhere with no one to come get you

And I’ll pray that you’ll come to your senses

That maybe crawling back home with your tail between your legs

Will loosen up the cords you tried to tie

Around me, and God and yourself.

After the divorce

I’ll have different people sitting at my table

Because my door will always be unlocked

And I’ll pray that when I see you on my doorstep

I’ll have to courage to let you come inside.