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””
Category Archives: spiritual formation
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”
Desperate to Center
Thoughts slip left and right, up and down, circling center but not resting there. I long to be centered, focused, listening. When swirling slows I sense You here, present. That is the heart position that centers thoughts on You, the Unseen One who matters most. I rest, absorbing peacefrom the Prince of Peace,the object ofContinue reading “Desperate to Center”
That One Thing
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 “That One Thing”
When He Restores My Soul
When He, the Shepherd of my life, restores my weary soul, He shines his brilliant, healing light into each shadowed corner space, and He cleans out each creeping rot and sneaky vapor of distress, depression or deceit. And then His lovingkindness flows His living water through each vein, with salt of truth and his sweetContinue reading “When He Restores My Soul”
A Confluence of Soulmates
We believe in him so streams of living waterflow from within and mingle inprofuse display:splash of sympathy,sparkle of delight,mellow liquid comfort.Spirit meets spiritsand waterfalls rushto embrace, clarityleaping with graceto wash over soulsand leave us refreshed,renewed and blessed. Think of a recent moment when that happened to you. You met with one or more fellow devotedContinue reading “A Confluence of Soulmates”
My Essential Companion
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. Crossroads scared me. Right? Left? But then I sensed eyes on me, a presence by my side. WhoContinue reading “My Essential Companion”
The Seesaw of Suffering
Dead weight suffering drops its heaviness on me, leaving a depression— thumbprint of loneliness, harm-pit threatening oppression. I suffer the moment, weighed down (way down to the depths) knowing the promise: the seesaw balance works best when re-balanced. See—my share in pain is for your gain! My end down, I gather comfort greedily from richContinue reading “The Seesaw of Suffering”
Taste the Glory
Taste the glory! The very Breath of God inhabits me, holds my soul, permeates my mind, transforms my heart. His touch is whisper– soft behind the conscious verbiage, constant inner conversation; my appetite is piqued. I listen to the wind, wait for sentience to unlock the starving fibers of my soul to free delight inContinue reading “Taste the Glory”
Linnea's Lines 