Writing
Writing poetry and meditations about scripture is a part of my spiritual practice.
A Thanksgiving for Lament
When I lament to you, o God,
I know the depths of my grief
Are met by your loving grace.
How could it be any other way?
For you sent your only Son
To live and die as one of us,
To reconcile us to you,
always and forever,
Our God and Father of all. Amen.
Written in January 2022, based upon Psalm 31:9-16
Patience
Patience. It is a word that can carry significant meaning and emotion. It’s a word that is deeply interconnected to our sense of time and how quickly or not something comes to fruition. It could be something simple, such as when will dinner be ready or how much longer will I need to be on hold before the customer service agent answers my call. It could be something more complex such as when will the doctor call about the test results. It could speak to something all-consuming such as when will the pandemic end or when will we see an end to homophobia, bigotry, desecration of our planet, and violence. Patience.
I wonder, in this season of Advent, and with Peter’s words, “and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation,” how our understanding of patience can be shaped? I wonder if there is an opportunity to see the patience that God extends to you, to me, and all of creation, as the spark that helps us carry on with the work we are called to, especially when we do not see results we are hoping for, especially when we feel like we are out of patience.
In this season of Advent, which invites us into waiting and patience, let us remember that the light of the incarnate God is coming, for it already has, and it always will be.
Prayer
Loving God, fill us with your patience so that we may be an example of your everlasting light in the world.
Written in December 2021 as an Advent Meditation, 2 Peter 3:11-18
She Anointed His Feet in Nard
She anointed his feet in nard
like the sun anoints the earth
At the dawn of the day
When the light kisses the ground
And the birds sing
To celebrate the first light of the morning.
She anointed his feet in nard
like the sun at its apex in the sky
At the middle of the day
Shining like a ball of fire
Providing warmth to all creation
Guiding the way for the traveler to their destination.
She anointed his feet in nard
Like the sun sets in the west
At the end of the day
When the light fades below the horizon
Ushering in the night
For the moon to shine bright.
She anointed his feet in nard
Like the sun anoints the earth
Beginning, middle, and end
The sun is part of the divine mystery
With us, even during the darkness of night
Always guiding us towards the one true light.
Written in January 2021, based upon John 12:1-11