Growth

"I planted the seed. Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow...." 1 Corinthians 3:7

Perhaps the places in us that are most resistant to change, and growth are the places that mask our pain. We need to go there, let go and receive life's undercurrent. Only then can we resolve our pain, as fertilizer to make our hearts grow in love, courage, and acts of service...

Just in your time...

The Clock is ticking,
but you sit in the sand
and watch me play, struggle,
run, perhaps I am young.
But there's no hurry in you.
You wait till I believe myself
into it, and you trust I will
one day.

The clock is still ticking,
and you hold the world
in your strong hands, and even
my beat-up dreams become
a reality just in your time...

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who had been given to us..."Romans 5:3-5

What are the safe seasons?

Catching my eye
a little doe lifts her foot in the air
then touches the earth with determination,
another step of the dance,
a ritual proclaiming,
"This is my space, my dining hall, my dance floor."
Gazing with respect, love, and wonder,
a tiny sadness surges through me
as I remember how I, too,
have learned steps to a fearful dance,
casting glances over my shoulder,
not quite at ease in my being,
always yearning for a safer season,
ready to dance back into my forest of protection.
Where are the safe seasons?
Do you know?

---Macrina Wiederkehr

Psalm 65

Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
You who answer prayer,
to you all people will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with good things of
your house,
of your holy temple.
You answer us with awesome and
righteous deeds,
God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
who formed the mountains by your
power, having armed yourself
with strength,
who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
The whole earth is filled with awe at
your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy..."

Psalm 65

Drumming the Rivers

Denied the musical instruments
reserved to men, Zaire women
play the rivers like drums,
beating tempos on the waters,
chanting rhythms slapped on waves.

Without score, without concert hall,
without formal black silk gown,
beneath feathery palm silhouettes
they ply the shining surface, an arc
of droplets flying from their hands.

Over loads of laundry, foam bubbling
on bare arms in the African morning,
they do not discuss oppression. Fluid,
spontaneous, they sing the liquid words
and drum the vibrant pulse of liberation.

Poem for South African Women (June Jordan) quoted in Kathleen Fischer, Women at the Well.

A Time for Everything

"There is a time for everthing, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace...." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

What season are you in? What activities are you engaged in? Perhaps these are questions that we need to answer as one chapter ends and a new one begins. Where am I? Where does my work lie? Perhaps we are grieving the loss of a season that we have enjoyed and are timidly embracing a new season?

What are my expectations for this season? What new activities will appear like a blossom in the shade, perhaps miraculous in revealing and knowing the true creator, the true parent of our souls. I begin to watch and wonder for all to unfold, like a little girl twirling in the sun. I worship you, my father, my son!

You Robbed Me!

You robbed me of my dreams
You robbed me!

You robbed me of time to develop and
Use my gifts...
You robbed me!

You robbed me of my passion/and my fire.
You robbed me!

You robbed me of desire
You robbed me!

You robbed me of joy and laughter
You robbed me!

You robbed me of my fight.
You robbed me!

You robbed me of my Dad and his presence..
You robbed me!

You robbed me of clarity of mind and thoughts.
You robbed me!

You robbed me of my voice...
You robbed!

You robbed me
but I have a choice!

So tonight, I'm gonna dream my dreams anyway....But tonight Im gonna use my gifts anyway,
And tonight I'm gonna light this fire anyway, Yes tonight I'm gonna cry out desire anyway. So tonight i'm gonna blossom into joy anyway, and tonight i'm gonna fight this fight my way,

because you robbed me and I'm pissed off!