Spirituality
A PRAYER FOR PEACE
With unspeakable loss
The war continues on
Fueled by hatred and distrust
Based on centuries of fears
Of families broken
And unbelievable loss
Both sides with grievances
Passed down and emboldened
Does the possibility of resolution exist?
For those displaced, to hold on to?
Mothers, fathers, singles, child
Witness horrors no one should ever see
Nor will they ever be free to forget
While we in the West
Read in shock, disbelief
And at the end of the day
We rest our heads gently on our pillows
Say goodnight
Wake to life, the next morning
And say,
What can we do?
What role do we play?
Community education, discussion
What do each have to say?
And so we pray
Then share our resources
Whatever they may be
Time, financial, comfort
A need as broad as the sea
Is it not each one’s responsibility
To support and uphold mankind?
Through kindness,
And through our time
Each day the call grows louder
Prayer is the starting point but not the end
What calls for reason, not reaction
We must promote, forever, Amen.
Faith
When uncertainty surrounds us
Our path no longer certain
Shadows of doubt bear on our compass
What yesterday we maintained
Carefree freedom and expression
Once resolute, now wanes
Caution, worry, and intimidation
Counterforces reign
In quietude we remember
Take a breath and sigh
We remember what evades us
So merciful and high
For in this hour of shadow
We acknowledge we are not alone
Our heavenly Father is beside us
Always present, our capstone
Worldly pleasures distract us
Lure us to question what is known
Then a gentle voice wakes us
Darkness lifts, as foreshown
Comfort, warmth envelops our being
We our reminded of his promise
I am there for you always
Raise your head, walk with me
Across all time, across the sea
Intention
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Or the universe as it may be
My intention,
To facilitate comfort and joy
As I begin this day
Reminded of my weaknesses
I begin to pray
God, may I be your light
To brighten another’s
Way
May I use my talents
Meager as they are
To lift someone’s spirit
What’s heavy on their heart
With open mind,
No history to conceal
I seek to only give my best
Deepen understanding
And heal
From the early morning
Throughout the day
To the setting sun
May I set aside my needs in part
To lend a helping hand
This is my simple hope
today
Not remarkable
nor unique to me
But I’ll give my best
Be what may come
Until the day
Comes to a close
And I find its time to rest.
Through my Papa's Eyes
I hear him in his voice
In his sighs and chuckles too
He would argue it was my choice
He would always see me through
And tho so many years have passed
Since his spirit passed through
I sense him in another’s grace
Does the other sense him too?
We phone the other from time to time
Say, hello, how do you do?
It means so much to both, we share
The other’s comfort too
We speak of challenges,
laugh then dismiss
And joy we’ve lived, held dear
At times, I ponder, is this you?
My papa, through and through
And so it is, without fail
The time to say goodbye
Thanks for the call
It means so much
We both so eagerly reply
We leave the call assured and carry
The other’s spirit by our side
Then as we close, I smile and think
Was this through my Papa’s eyes?
Thundercloud
The storms have begun
Glimpses of green are seen
One day warm and blue skies
The next opaque with grey sheen
And so it is from day to day
Spring’s beauty emerges as
Seasons of life
Its nature’s way
A common routine from year to year
A process we recognize
To cleanse and clear
Cobwebs, weeds, we decry
We welcome the opportunity
we look to the sky
And so, we prep the bed
lay down the seed
And carefully nurture
What will come to be
A garden, a skill, relationships too
And all that presents in multiple hues
We sing praise and give glory
To our maker above
In faith we keep and know his love
Just as the sun’s rays give rise to color
To guide our hearts
And serve each other
The wind is strong, the rain pours down
Nature’s energy is released
Renewed purpose is found
In gladness we welcome
The bounty nurturing unfolds
We groomed the seeds
And honed our skills
We gave to those, in time of need
And so it is this time of year
Nature inspires our reason to be
