This.
This blissful moment
of dawn warming the night’s frost
of the finch and wren brightly chattering to the blue sky
. . . surely, O my LORD, this is not dust or ashes
for the moment uplifts my soul
to sing “Alleluia! Life!”
No?
My soul could be
satisfied here in this moment,
content with the delicious gold of sunrise,
sated by the delicate artistry of the hoarfrost crystals.
But your Spirit nags: “Not even close! This delight you embrace
is not even close to the Blissful Goodness that is
GOD. You have been easily pleased
by a moment, yet there is
an abiding
peace
beyond your lifetime.
Do not be content here, nor
let your spirit mourn the dust and ashes.
Here I am: feel my breath
on the dust that is
your cheek
and in
the ashes that are
your lungs. Let not your dusty, foolish heart
despair over the temporary. Rejoice with the warbling birds
and seek That Which Will Not Fade
with all of your soul.”
Playful God, cajole me into joining in the fullness of life. On this day when I do not feel made of star dust, show me the mark of love you have put upon me. If I feel overwhelmed by my smallness, tickle me into a smile, remind me of my belonging in the world, and whisk me up into the whirl of your embrace. Amen
Lord, what strange courage Abraham had.
To trust and to know that,
“I who am but dust and ashes”
is the one who must speak.
What paste of pluck, fortitude and wisdom formed this dust and ashes?
What glue of love, wonder and faith held it all together?
O Lord, with the smudge of dust on my forehead remind me again
to trust and to know that,
I who am but dust and ashes, can take it upon myself
to speak to the Lord.
Amen.
“What paste of pluck, what glue of love”….delightful turns of phrases (as well as delightful insight)! Thank you for sharing, Heather.
Learning to Praise Dust and Ashes
Come, Perspective
you untamed
illusive
prayer
pile of dust and ashes
read as pain or possibility
trash heap turned
to artful treasures
weapons beaten
into plowshares
a single word
cancer
imbued with death
capable of inspiring
audacious courage
walk with me around
the edges, O God
teach me to see life
as it is
squint beneath
the surface
of obvious
unabashed in praise
as I gaze upon
your radical
creativity.
Amen.
Thank you, Tammy. And Rachel, for inspiring these words with your own.
In this temporary, dusty form,
I seek Your face.
In this temporary, dusty time,
I seek Your light.
In this temporary, dusty life,
I seek your grace.
Prepare me, my heart, my soul for your glory, for the true experience of Easter and your son’s, your sacrifice for m.
Oh God
shame has been my covering this day
The darker places of my soul have emerged
again
and I long to wrap myself in fig leaves
to cover my naked self
But You
my Creator
love me unconditionally
As you life me from this empty place
You fill me with the truth that I am
precious in Your sight
I am Yours
gratefully
Yes, amen.