I’m reflecting today on the presence of God who sometimes seems so near, far away as the moon, or gone altogether. I’ve written a short poem, and sharing other poems, scripture and writings that speak to the many ways God shows up in our lives.
In secret places I find you, between blades of grass
and on craggy mountaintops,
in heartache and the twinkling of an eye.
I find you on faces on skin like rice paper,
entwined between legs of sleeping elders.
You rise above oaks dropping acorns wet with crystal drops from above.
Sometimes it’s quiet in the forest, not a leaf
rustling, nor a bird’s call. For you, commander of earth and heaven,
call us near,
your thundering silences
quickening the beating
of our hearts.
_______
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
-from St. Patrick’s Breastplate, Cecil F. Alexander
_____
My Beloved is the mountains,
The solitary wooded valleys,
The strange islands,
The roaring torrents,
The whisper of the amorous gales;
The tranquil night
At the approaches of the dawn,
The silent music,
The murmuring solitude,
The supper which revives, and enkindles love. – Soul St John of the Cross
_____
Why should I wish to see God better than this day?
I see something of God each hour of the twenty-four,
..and each moment then,
In the faces of men and women I see God, and in my
..own face in the glass,
I find letters dropped in the street, and every one
..is signed by God’s name,
And I leave them where they are, for I know that
..wheresoe’er I go
Others will punctually come forever and forever. -Walt Whitman
_____
I sought to hear the voice of God
And climbed the topmost steeple,
But God declared: “Go down again —
I dwell among the people. -John Henry Newman
_____
The finger of God touches your life
when you make a friend. -Mary Dawson Hughes
_____
LETTER FROM CAMP
Dear Mom and Dad
and Bill and Glad:
Caught a fish.
Camp’s a wow!
Sleeping out is grand.
Swimming’s fun.
Hiking’s fine.
Food is full of sand.
Fire at night.
Moon is bright.
I’m all right.
God’s at hand.
Have to run.
Your son … Brad.
_____
Scripture speaks of Christ so near, right at the door in fact:
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
And within us..
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
Always near..
Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
And from the beginning:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Everywhere..
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
____
and of course, our old favorites:
Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
but only he who sees takes off his shoes. -Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
_____
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour. – William Blake
Do you have a poem, scripture or quote you’d like share reflecting God’s presence?
We love your comments!
Sharing this week with these lovely groups!
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Thank you for your beautiful offering today. The poem is stunning and the the other quotes and scripture speak well of God’s presence. I loved the quote from Mary Hughes- “The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.” I have known this to be true in my own life. Thank you for blessing me by stopping by my blog today too.
Thank you so much Mary, so lovely to connect again! I’ve had a busy week, so this blog offering was a way for me to give poetry a shot and
take a small break from writing a longer blog. Thanks so much for your comment, so much appreciate!
Beautiful, my friend ….
Hugs,
Lori
sometimes reflecting on God’s presence is all we need! I enjoyed your blog much this week! Blessings to you..
These are all beautiful! The camp one just made me grin from ear to ear!
I know don’t you love that camp one Lynn! Thanks for your comment!!
Hi Kathy! I love all these little poems and prayers. Reading them makes my heart soar! I really need to be more attentive to each minute, each loving touch, sound and silence of the Lord.
This was beautiful.
Ceil
Thank you Ceil so much! Sometimes we need poetic reminders of Emmanuel, God with us!
Ah… just loved reading all of this nourishment, Kathy! Thank you for this gift, my friend. I kept singing “Christ in me! Christ in me! Christ in me, the hope and glory! You are my everything…”
I hadn’t sung that song since our church closed last summer… It’s one of my faves our old worship band played. There is something so powerful in those words… I don’t know who actually sings it, do you? I’m not great with singer/band names. I need to ask my bestie. She was the lead singer. <3
Love how this brought forth the favorite song of from your former church! I don’t think I know that song, although I’ll listen for it now!!
So glad the poetry nurtured your soul! Blessings!