spiritual formation – Linnea's Lines

Exhausted

Exhaustion depresses like a brick on foam squeezing out air, leaving me compacted, heavy, flat out dense. Sleep and love, contemplation are nectar and nutrients (eat what fits): breathe in air, restoration. In time I will stretch and power up for life as usual. Once I get to the beach, or to another quiet spot,Continue reading “Exhausted”

Practicing His Presence

Written over twenty years ago, this poem was a commitment I was making to learn to really “practice the presence” of God. Whether a day was filled with routines or with unexpected delights or sorrow, walking in constant awareness of him is life-changing. It is ongoing, the deep desire of my heart, yet so oftenContinue reading “Practicing His Presence”

My Cup Overflows!

My cup overflows with amazing grace, precious gifts poured out by your hands into my life: my husband, life partner; the gift of words and service to you, beyond anything I imagined; my offspring and all the years of watching growth; community here and over there, treasured brothers and sisters; the beauty of this worldContinue reading “My Cup Overflows!”

In Spirit and in Truth

We worship in a cloud, unfocused though we strain to see and feel — yet worship what we know within unknowing, all senses clamoring for the Real: — the One who touches hearts with joy, whose fingers heal the blinded eyes, deaf ears; who feels our hurts because he hurt as human-Godson, heart and soul.Continue reading “In Spirit and in Truth”

Let’s Celebrate

God, who fills the universe, who made it all, the stars and space, did choose to put mankind on earth and focus on this tiny place. Hallelujah! We sing God’s praise! He offers us his warm embrace, for as a man he took our place to pay for sin — amazing grace! The perfect worldContinue reading “Let’s Celebrate”

Seeking His Face

When I heard him say, “Seek my face,” my heart skipped a beat like a goat leaping high to land on a ledge then jump to the top of a high crag, flat, and shaded by pines to find him there, his face lit up by the rising sun. I wanted to ask him toContinue reading “Seeking His Face”

Never Alone

I thought I was alone, figuring out how to navigate this world. Sometimes I walked in burning sun, seeking shade or longing for sunset. Or blasting winds would throw debris over the path, hiding the way forward. Forks in the road scared me. Right? Left? But then I sensed eyes on me, a presence byContinue reading “Never Alone”

Set Apart

Set apart from the start (once I gave myself to you) I did not know how far you’d go to make me someone new! But I am yours, much-loved, learning like a daughter should who wants to know how best to grow and act just like you would. When my Nyarafolo translation partner Moïse andContinue reading “Set Apart”