“This is my father's world I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas His hand the wonders wrought” (Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901) Walking with You I realize again This is my Father’s world Hard to remember that Hard to hear Your voice Above the din Of Your children Fighting But “This is my Father’s world. I rest me in the thought”
Your Body
“that all of them may be one” John 17: part of verse 21 (NIV) I don’t recognize you anymore I’m out of place Out of joint With you When did the ground shift under my feet And create this angry defiant individualistic I’ll do what I want space that I don’t recognize (or fit) In? When did ‘what you want’ Become more important than What They Need? (consideration, kindness, space, a place) Did it happen so slowly So imperceptible (to my rose-coloured view) That I couldn’t discern it? Did I live in false hope that It Wasn’t Happening? Was it always there? I don’t recognize you Anymore Now I Wait In Silence And Grief And Lament And Hope That you will be restored (getting back to normal won’t do it folks) And I will be able to fully Embrace you Again
Advent 1.0
Groaning Waiting Hoping Trusting For You to make all things new For You to make all things new
Ancient Breasts
Ancient breasts
Hold
New milk
That
Issues forth
In
Empathy
And
Remembrance
Waiting
Them
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 (NIV) Do Good To All (in covid times this is not about rights) (in covid times this is not about fear) (in covid times this is not about government or corporate conspiracies) Just simply Do Good To All Just Simply What Would Be Good For them What would make them feel Safe Loved Supported Cared for Considered Them (not you) (not me)
Truth
“Then you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free” John 8:32 (NIV) You knew this (not at first but you got it eventually) You got it (while she waited) That Light is better than dark Truth is better than lies And then You forgot And that Blew everything Up RJS
Rest
“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” Hebrews 4:1 (NIV) Hang up the Would haves Put away the Could haves Silence the Should haves His rest Is here
Black and White
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 When my life was Black and white Wrong and right This was easy (Or so it seemed) Now that things are Shades of grey I press into You The reality of You To Find The Way The Good and Perfect Way It’s messier Weird
Walk
“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” 2 John 1:6 Walk Take your time Notice Them In my dreaming In my planning In my thinking In my doing Love Them
If
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 If Weighty word So much potential for Change Hope Healing Restoration New Things If
Colleen R. Jantzen 