She spoke on January 21, 2025
with courage.

Feeling self-confident or not,
she stood before Goliath
using the ‘sling and stones’
of word, of gentle voice, of eye-to-eye contact.

Her sermon has been shared countless times. 
Her words have been quoted and debated
and thousands upon thousands have heard
words of hope
through her.

Like David,
she taught Goliath
an important lesson:
Never underestimate the power of God
however that happens
even if
even if
and maybe even if
and especially
through a woman.

© June Maffin

**********
May God bless Bishop Budde. May she continue to listen to God’s still, silent voice within. And may she, her family, staff, and people she serves be protected from physical harm, emotional distress, and spiritual dis-ease.
Amen. So be it. Amen.