Love—deep red love— came struggling through the pressure of the birth canal and landed safe in loving handsthat washed away the bloodand held him close.They did not know, not yet,that Love’s own bloodwould someday spurtfrom lashes to his back,from nails plunged straightthrough his own hands,and through his feet—blood of Life and supreme Lovethat would bringContinue reading “The Red of Love”
Tag Archives: Africa
Open Home, Open Heart
The travelers walked in the front door, hot and dusty after hours on dirt roads. Mom always found room at the table, one built for her by Dad, big enough to welcome at least a dozen guests. She added another vegetable, salad, bread—done! There was always enough.Then, grown up, it was my turn.I learned toContinue reading “Open Home, Open Heart”
Our One Hope
This is not what I thought it would be, a quiet safe place with time to rest and peace my constant cup of tea. Instead I toss and turn, my heart churning with yearning for that final resolution of these conflicts,a revolution that turns the worldupside-down, filtering out the eviland cleansing the cup so itContinue reading “Our One Hope”
Morning Thank-yous
Thank you for green filaments waving in the breeze on this hot day, for silver sunlight filtered through gray overcast skies, for the solid round edges of mangoes still ripening, hanging pregnantly from bowed branches,and for those that have turned to gold and fallen to thirsty earth to make new wine and maybe children.Thank youContinue reading “Morning Thank-yous”
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”
My One Safe Place
When even the sunrise is muted by dust, the air polluted with smoke and red dirt, there is one safe place where I can stay, breathing in air that is healthy and clean, a place where my heart-hurts heal as I pray. Here beside you,I’m finding a wayto gradually layeach major worry,each broken hopeon theContinue reading “My One Safe Place”
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”
Higher Things
Even tiny finches live in a dimension far above mine— perching on light poles, playing among tree blossoms, drinking sweet nectar. But you, Lord, also call me to higher things, to not stay prisoner to dust and traffic and corruption. You say my name and my soul rises to meet with you. You give aContinue reading “Higher Things”
Linnea's Lines 