Moments

All that we live splinters into moments
Moments of grace
Moments of beauty
Moments of mercy
For which we give thanks.

Moments of grace when we deserve nothing
Sweet fat dimpled hands reaching up for a kiss
Wrinkled shaky fingers caressing my cheek
Strong hand holding mine all covered with prayer.

Moments of light, of color, of beauty
Dancing lights of fireflies below with streaking lights of electricity above
Colors of sky and sun filtering down through red and gold
Sounds of water dancing, sparkling, rushing, chasing.

Moments of mercy given at just the right time
Delighted laughter of child when sister gives a gift
Food brought when time and energy has been spent
A gentle whisper bringing knowledge of love from the divine

Our splintering moments rush together as one
Grace, beauty, mercy all show us His love
Even when in darkness I can open my eyes
To all these and more and give thanks to our Lord.

Never! Said I

I would never do that.

No, never! Said I.

Horrified, confident, righteous within.

Never? He said

with a gleam in his eye.

Perhaps, yes perhaps, and yet.

This little thing?

What about this small little thing?

Oh, that? That's nothing.

Said I with a grin.

That surely won't matter

in the vast scope of life.

So yes, I'll do that and enjoy.

Well, what about this?

Just a teensy bit larger.

And the pleasure is much larger still.

Oh, that? That's still nothing.

Said I, standing tall.

This too, doesn't matter

it surely won't hurt

those around me or go against God's will.

Said he with the gleam

You're so close, just look

at what could be savored and gained.

I turned 'round

and suddenly saw with despair

my righteousness lying in shreds.

I did it, yes did it.

How could I? Said I.

with shock and confusion within.

Your confidence blinded.

Said he with the gleam.

You trusted in self not in Him.

Vivid

Vivid

The sun barely peeking over the rim of the earth

Sparkle of dancing light on the crystallized snow

Bright blue eyes crinkled in a welcoming smile

Jewel tones of jelly made by hands full of love

Sunlight through a window sets the crystal aflame

Picture with crayons hand drawn to perfection

Red puffed up cardinal hopping cheerily over the white

Bowl full of oranges waiting for pink lips after naps

Sky burns with color as the sun dips below

Warm fire spits and sparks red, blue and gold

Smiles around a heavy-laden table of home

Stars burn bright in the dark black of the cold

Beyond

Beyond the pain

Beyond the shame

Beyond the love

Beyond the joy

There is Christ.

Beyond the hurt

Beyond the dirt

Beyond the beauty

Beyond the light

There is Christ.

Beyond life

Beyond death

Beyond this world

Beyond the next

There is Christ.

If all were taken away,

If beauty were turned into grey,

Beyond all that I am and all that I have,

There is Christ.

Art credits: photo of Christ statue by Asta Rastauskiene; Christ in the House of Martha and Mary by Johannes Vermeer; picture of heaven by Miguel Meki; Christ Healing the Blind Man by Eustache Le Sueur; mosaic in the Rosary Basilica in Lourdes

A Psalm of Love

Holy. Beautiful. Glory.

Creator. Author. Majesty.

King and Lord. Humility and Servant.

Love.

Wise beyond my wisdom.

Knowing beyond my knowledge.

Perfect plan beyond what I can comprehend.

Love.

Giver of all that I grasp too tightly.

Sacrificer of all, that I may see Your face.

Abundant mercy and grace, I rest in your delight in me.

Love.

For all that comes before,

When I cannot understand,

Still I will cling to Your power, Your goodness and

Your Love.

What's Your Story?

What’s your story?

Who has hurt you in your past? Thrown arrows of words that are still lodged in your heart?

What’s your story?

Did your father say one thing in anger that haunts you even now? Did your mother speak from desire to help but with the result of a lasting wound?

What’s your story?

Did a friend decide to end a friendship or just drift away without a word?

What’s your story?

Did a teacher, mentor, boss say you weren’t worth their time? Did date after date decide you weren’t worth a second look?

What’s your story?

What hurts suddenly burn your heart when you thought you had forgiven? What wounds cause you to speak that way to your own child, spouse, friend?

What’s your story?

What arrow can you not get rid of on your own? Pride, gossip, anger, scorn? Sarcasm, predjudice, envy, control?

What’s your story?

Which wounds have drawn you into God's arms? Which arrows have pushed you closer to His heart?


What's your story?

What story has God begun to write on your heart? What truth is He using to heal and cleanse?

What's your story?

Was there a sunset streaked with gold that burst through the pain and pointed your heart toward a God of beauty?

What's your story?

Was there a tiny flowering bud that whispered that there is One who cares?

What's your story?

Was there a fairy tale read as a child that spoke of a truth that there is more to this world than what you see?

What's your story?

Did you have a friend who gave good gifts just like the Giver loves to give?

What's your story?

Did a brother, sister, mother, father show the love from God that asks for nothing in return?


What's your story?


What story is God writing on your heart?

Kristina

Grateful for a life given as grace
Beauty in both heart and face
God's gift for twenty-six years
More than we deserved
Hard to see through tears

Scraps of colored paper were her gift
Our hearts now are torn, our emotions set adrift
Made divinity, read books, gave flicks, played games
This beautiful marriage was more of God's grace
Her husband's world, on the outside, is going up in flames

Yet

God is always good and God is always love
Beauty and joy in even this is given from above
I don't begin to understand but I declare what I don't yet see
God promises to transform weeping into dancing, pain into glory
She's home, she's well, her life and body as they were always meant to be