Quivering I stared into the black abyss until I felt you nudge me to let go and slip over the edge. I found myself floating in that darkness held and filled with energy so sweet and strong it could only be you. Your voice came to me rich and playful, “Child, did you really think there could be anywhere that I am not?” —— Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your … [Read more...] about You Were There
You Carried Me
You swaddled me in white robed arms, rescued me from my dark terror. I carried pain, but you carried me away and up, up into the light, until I burst into a thousand splintered rays of joy. —— I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 From Heaven at my Door by Juanita Ryan … [Read more...] about You Carried Me
Surprise Party
You came running up behind me and jumped up on my back, asking for a ride and laughing in my ear. Out of nowhere you ambushed me and left me suddenly smiling. My feet that had been dragging suddenly are dancing. This is no quiet, somber thoughtful joy. It is a foot-stomping knee-slapping raucous joy. I never dreamed that joy would catch up to me. You have given me a surprise party. Thank … [Read more...] about Surprise Party
Give Me the Grace
Give me the grace to care without neglecting my needs, the humility to assist without rescuing, the kindness to be clear without being cold, the mercy to be angry without rejecting, the prudence to disclose without disrespecting my privacy, the humor to admit human failings without experiencing shame, the compassion to give freely, fully, without selfish ambition or pride. —— In your … [Read more...] about Give Me the Grace
Your Child?
You invite me to be your child. An overture I have often declined since the thought of childhood frightens me. But I am beginning to wonder if you are offering me an experience of childhood as it was meant to be. Maybe you are saying that with you I can enjoy unselfconscious wonder, because you will share in my delight. That, with you, I can be unabashedly dependent because you will welcome … [Read more...] about Your Child?
Artisan Hands
Hold me gently in your strong, artisan hands as you pressure, push, pull, remake me. Hold me securely as the life wheel spins beneath my frame in cycles of birth, death, rebirth. Hold me faithfully as you make sturdy, solid, hard-as-diamond those brittle, broken places and soft, molten liquid-as-pure-gold those places that need to learn to yield in graceful vulnerability. —— Yet, O … [Read more...] about Artisan Hands
Give Me Peace
Give me peace, not a hopeless resignation, giving into the darkness, but a growing certainty that one day Light will dawn. Give me peace, not a deadening novocain that robs outrage, but a quiet awareness of Presence in the angst of the day. Give me peace, not a passionless state of not-seeing, not knowing, but a fierce, calm clarity about what matters most. Give me peace, not a smugness or … [Read more...] about Give Me Peace
At the Ocean
We sat beside your wild, wet skirt, wanting to soothe our sore hearts by watching your joyful jig. But we were too absorbed in our pain to gain perspective from your frolicking. We talked and sighed, sitting there on that smooth rock beside your playful splendor. Until you picked up a corner of your hem and splashed us wet, salty and surprised. Play! Laugh! Enjoy! you called as you pulled your … [Read more...] about At the Ocean
Pockets
I don’t have a proper pocket; none large enough to carry your kindness and respect. Your generous gifts slip awkwardly from my hands as I fumble for a place to keep them. I need to sew me some way-down-deep-pockets, big enough to hold your love. —— For this reason I kneel before the Father. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power… to know this … [Read more...] about Pockets
Filtered Love
I would not be able to bear your piercing pure love if you should show yourself to me directly. You seem to know this and so filter the blazing light of your kindness through human voices and flower faces. A friend’s concern, a child’s laugh, a sparrow’s song are the muted tones and shaded light you use to touch me. Your filtered presence is building a growing hope in me that love might be a … [Read more...] about Filtered Love