Who Is Tess Lockhart?

I am a poet theologian who sees God at work everywhere. The creative Word demands to be spoken, and I answered the call, frail, broken creature that I am. I am Jacob, wrestling; Jonah, pouting; a psalmist railing; the woman at the well, questioning; Peter, betraying then falling-down-grateful for forgiveness. I am hopelessly caught up in Divine Love even as I struggle like a cat to be let down. 

I started out wanting to be an English professor devoted to Milton, English Renaissance drama, and poetry.  My influences have included a variety of classical and modern poets, Christian liturgy, and biblical poets. Then I heard a call to ordained ministry as a pastor of various churches, then to Ph.D. studies in theology and academia where I served on a seminary faculty.  Then I was called to do theology, write liturgy, and coach preachers for my denomination's national office.  Today, I still promiscuously preach around.

At 51 my husband of 30 years died in my arms. Some of my poetry expresses frustration with this complicated marriage and its sudden loss.  When I remarried three and a half years later, I began to extol the wonders of love like a medieval love-sick troubadour.  

With this new marriage,  I  basically retired from full-time church service and studied anatomy and medical massage, opening my own business as a licensed massage therapist in order to help heal this world’s many traumas, including my own that seem to be connected to the chronic pain I’ve lived with since I was 16.  

Now, I am an old crone enjoying my incredible children and grandchildren.  My journey has taken some strange turns. Hopefully some of the things I’ve learned might be of value to you and encourage you to keep wrestling for a blessing.