A sigh at the heart of the universe;
A goodbye to a good friend.
And, for you, my friend, an unexpected hello
On the other side.
And then …
Another sigh,
One of sweet surrender into joy
And into a brother’s arms.
This is my hope for you.
Not because a life of love is not enough,
But because I wish you more.
I wish us all more when our turn comes,
And your wry smile awaits our welcome.
[photo of Larry’s tree – from Facebook]
It seems I am continually befuddled.
I question myself and I question my questions.
I gaze at my navel and I wander around the corners of my mind.
And it seems I go nowhere.
So …
I am thankful that the world is not held together by my understanding.
I am glad that the mystery of love is actually … a mystery.
I am grateful that my fidgeting soul, like a small and restless child, can be held
And held, and held,
Until I can fight no more
And I put my head upon your shoulder
And sleep.
[photo by FUMIGRAPHIK-Photographist per cc 2.0]
“Our hands imbibe like roots, so I place them on what is beautiful in this world.” – St. Francis of Assisi
You might try it today.
Touch with intention.
Draw in the wonder around you.
Let your fingers experience
The flow of life
The beauty of being.
Connect your soul.
Through touch
And rejoice.
It is.
You are.
I Am.
Amen.
[quotation of St. Francis of Assisi, p. 40, in Love Poems from God by Daniel Ladinski]
[photo by Jens Dahlia per cc 2.0]
May you find peace, this day.
May you find the strength for what this day brings.
May your heart rest within the embrace of those who love you.
May your love cradle them in return.
In that palpable exchange of love,
May you find peace, this day.
May the wonder of the stable find its way into your heart.
May the dark night burst with a song of joy.
May true light guide you to that place where hope is born.
May wise ones bring their gifts to support you in the challenges you face.
May you know – deeply know – that the Holy One has come;
That you, too, are swaddled in eternal, irrevocable love;
That the birth of the savior is more than a long-ago story;
That the miracle of Christmas is here.
Is now,
Is in you,
Is in us all,
And it will not be stopped.
May this day smile upon you.
May your heart catch its breath.
May your eyes rest upon beauty.
May your soul know peace.
May the touch of your fingers
Warm the life of another.
May your words fall like rain
On thirsty ground.
May the love that gives you life
Expand ever outward
Moving from heart to heart to heart
Like ripples across a pond.
May you pause to receive
The gifts that come your way
Adding your touch of grace
To their endless journey.
Quiet Hope 