Close
the door
on anger.
Banish the hard
feelings festering
in the vacant spaces.
Embrace a new beginning.
Rejoice in the change coming soon.
Forgive yourself, the past holds no grudge.
The future awaits a new opening.
When a door closes, a window opens.
Fresh air rushes in, filling your lungs.
New energy and new ideas
create opportunities
you had ignored before.
You feel again the
Holy Spirit’s
presence here.
The door
opens.
Jump
into
the deep end.
Life is the pool.
Watching from the side,
you will miss the thrill of
plunging in, feet or head first,
challenging your own status quo.
It is not how great or how perfect
you are, it just matters that you get wet.
Thoughts
and dreams
are magic.
They can carry
us to feasts of
our imagination
or beaches of solitude.
We can be confident or shy,
young or old, free of impediments
to harsh realities that hold us back.
Gifts
from the
Holy Spirit
bestowed upon
us generously.
Unless activated,
these marvelous endowments
become lost opportunities
to make a difference in the lives
of those in need of God’s mercy and grace.
If
the path
ends, is the
journey complete?
No. There is still much
movement to be enjoyed
and growth to be expected
in the rich soil where God plants us.
The seeds we sow in this fertile ground
will be the source of a new life in us.
I watch as he walks slowly to the car.
Back crooked and one leg much shorter.
The years have not been kind to him.
Everything takes such effort
that going out is hard.
But he keeps moving
smiling mostly.
It is hard
being
old.
I was the child but am more the parent.
Weighing all the options and choices.
Walking the fine line of being
helpful, not overbearing,
respecting his wisdom.
There are now mornings
I move slowly.
It is hard
growing
old.
God
is here.
Unseen but
ever present.
From the heavens to
the sea’s deepest waters,
in the air that our lungs breathe
to the space between our fingers,
the Holy Spirit lives and gives life.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
Inspired by a mediation on Psalm 36:5-10 (NSRV)
5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgments are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
Vivid memories stir deep within me.
The scent of a lilac in the air
transports me to a time long past.
Catching fireflies in a jar.
Riding bikes to the park.
Candy cigarettes.
Carnival rides.
Grass stained knees.
I am
home.
Pain.
Chards of
glass slicing
nerves to shreds.
Simple things too hard.
Exercise and prayer
bring relief but no escape.
Patience shattered by the constant
presence of an unseen enemy.
Embrace it. Do not surrender. Be strong.
We
truly
hold the keys
to God’s kingdom
hidden in our hearts.
With prayer and gratitude
we can unlock these secrets
that our faith will reveal to us.
Your kingdom is justice, peace and joy.
Open in us the gates to Your kingdom.
Based on the Taize song “The Kingdom of God” inspired by Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (NSRV)
Windows To The Spirit 