Keep a towel on my arm!Keep me ready to kneel before my tired friendto lovingly rinse the dirt glued onas they kept trudgingthrough thick and thin,the rut and puddle, the stuff that sticksfrom where they’ve been, a long and painful road.Give my eyes the knack to catchweariness, hurt withina gesture or a sigh.Give me kindnessContinue reading “Make Me Ready”
Tag Archives: Africa
The Spotlight Shifted!
They were shoved to the margins,viewed as insignificant,poor people scatteredin little bush villages,living off infertile land.But some had been waitingto hear the Good News,and when it arrivedtheir hearts opened wide,fertile, welcoming seed.“Now how can we sing praise to our new King?” Other peoples had songs,but this language had tonesthat required their own fit.Then it began,Continue reading “The Spotlight Shifted!”
I Am That Heifer!
You’ve made me your heifer, pulling the plow,you’ve shaped me and trained me, showing me howto lean to the left when your strong hand presses,to walk straight ahead, cleaning up messesand tearing out weeds, preparing the wayfor planting the seed in that soil on the daywhen all is in readiness, soft dirt tilled,and we pressContinue reading “I Am That Heifer!”
It’s a Continual Sacrifice!
slow motion eastwardthe world whirlsturning constantlytowards its sun then welcomingthe dark embrace of nightand swirling all aroundsmokey mist risesincense in all colorscontrasting texturesbraiding togetherwith purpose in flightfirst day of the weekit intensifiesas praises are sungand the worship expressedin the Family of Godcovers the rotating earthone longitudegives way to anotherbut in each spacethere are hearts inContinue reading “It’s a Continual Sacrifice!”
I Am One Piece of It All
I am not the center of your plans,and yet you give me significance as one special piece of the enormous puzzle that is your kingdom:a breathing, sentient realitythat is growing into your New Creation, a wonder of wondersthat no evil can destroy.So I just keep on saying it,telling you that (paltry as it is)I giveContinue reading “I Am One Piece of It All”
Eyes Fixed on Him
Lord, teach me howto stay on alert,watching out for the trapsinsidiously camouflaged,waiting for meto take one false stepand cave in to fear,or greed, or false symbolsof who I am. Show mewhere my adversary has poisonedthe thorns beneath the roses;help me to recognize eviland avoid it completely,holding only to what is goodand promotes love.At the sameContinue reading “Eyes Fixed on Him”
Breathe in hope!
Breathe in the wet earthBreathe in my mercyBreathe in wafts of breezeBreathe in my Spirit Breathe in red poinsettiasBreathe in my artistryBreathe in owls cooingBreathe my approbationBreathe in candles glimmeringBreathe in gifts of hopeBreathe in massive fir treesBreathe my complex weavingBreathe in shafts of sunriseBreathe in Light and TruthBreathe in ringing church bellsBreathe my loveContinue reading “Breathe in hope!”
Open Home
The travelers walked in the 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. IContinue reading “Open Home”
Clean up the Mess!
Deep inside the parched brown grass doves hop expectantly. Here and there they find their treasure: some crawling thing, breakfast. But the allure of their dining room is trashed: plastic bags, black or white, dusted dull with filth, blown in by the wind. A soul gets trashed like that as well: accumulated garbage gleaned fromContinue reading “Clean up the Mess!”
Hang in There!
Hang in there: spin your web, that intricate weaving of who you are. Wait there in the interval between up and down, swaying in the wind, hanging on by threads that hold you in place. Do what I made you to do— be what I made you to be. Rest there in the caresses ofContinue reading “Hang in There!”
Linnea's Lines 