When I let go take my hands off lose control then I am weak powerless to influence situations fix the problem do it my way.Then paradoxtakes over:his hands firmlyin controlhe is strongpowerfulable toaccomplishthe miracle required.And there’s a corollary:when I livewithin his graceI have his powerto use for him:the paradoxof mutuality—Christ in me. Have you comeContinue reading “Power Paradox”
Category Archives: reflection
Moaning in the Desert
Bleak, dry ground extending to every horizon, sun beating down—no shelter, no way to move forward but step by tired step, feet filthy, sore. No food! I just scraped the last dried scraps from my shoulder bag. My children are crying: where are we going? where is home? not here! Is there really a promisedContinue reading “Moaning in the Desert”
Caught Inside a Wider Web
Baruch sat huddled within his scrolls deep in the throes of despair. Words darkened the parchment and his soul, relentlessly marking out tragedy, punishment! The torrentof eviction, maledictionkept screaming in his mind,the prophet’s warnings and lament.But at the Thronehis pain was seen,framed by the stainof hemorrhage froma heart off-center, rubbing on the cross-grainof life goneContinue reading “Caught Inside a Wider Web”
The Seed that Grows
You make us your heifer, pulling the plow, you shape us and train us, showing us how to lean to the left when your strong hand presses, to walk straight ahead, cleaning up messes and tearing out weeds, preparing the way for planting the seed in that soil on the day when all is inContinue reading “The Seed that Grows”
Remembering: “Smothered in the Night”
The long car twisted through tall grass In the shy darkness following sunset. Suddenly it was before us—the village, Mud huts huddled close like frightened sheep. Our headlights swept across them and then fell On a pile of children tumbling from the night To swarm around the car as we stepped out.A skinny girl lookedContinue reading “Remembering: “Smothered in the Night””
Africa in my Veins
Its heat beats deep in my veins thrumming tumbling drumbeats off-beat softer scuffling of my feet beside dark feet in the community of rhythms that thump the earth and thrust our souls into one warm hum Its winds blow gently through my hair flowing even now in wisps of ash, flower powder, dust –night airContinue reading “Africa in my Veins”
While You are Here
Endure! Stay strong, not relying on muscle strength because it won’t last. Like the grass, like flowers, you will fade away and dissolve. You will go back to the dust. It is on God you mustalways focus! Glue your truston his goodness, his wisdom!He has known you sincehe formed you in the womb.He knows yourContinue reading “While You are Here”
It’s Not Over Yet!
Everything vibrant is going to seed: burgundy tufts on the yellowing grass, slender filaments lined with beans drooping down between withering leaves, millet high on the dusty stalks, papaya clusters, lemons, limes — all reminders that it is time to pass on the treasure of living life, to breed a crop of who we are:Continue reading “It’s Not Over Yet!”
Because of You I Run with Joy
Sleep may slip out of reach, but I will rest in you. Age may take its toll, but I am renewed by you. I may hobble along the path, but you will keep me upright. I may wrestle with fear in the dark, but you are the light in my heart. The world’s disasters mayContinue reading “Because of You I Run with Joy”
Eyes on You
When even the sunrise is muted by gray, the air polluted and blackened by carbon, there is one place where I can play, breathing in air that is free from dirt, a place where my heart-hurts fade away— here beside you, finding a way to gradually lay each major worry, each broken hope on theContinue reading “Eyes on You”
Linnea's Lines 