The beautiful tree above is a a bit of a parable. Last year we had to look long and hard to find some autumn pictures. An over-long, way-too-hot summer seemed to take the color out of our fall leaves. So we had to continue our search until we located this golden beauty at a rest stop as we began our October trip north to Indiana to visit Becky’s family. Similarly, we sometimes have to search God’s Word intentionally and persistently in order to discover His truth. Yet even as we persevere He often surprises us with liberating insight and inspiration even when we are least expecting it. Such realities are at the heart of my writing process that results in the poems I share on this site. Do realize, this process begins with God’s Word (most of the time) or with God revealed in nature (some of the time.) It really doesn’t matter which—they both draw my heart and mind into the revealed mysteries of who He is, who I am, how He loves me, how I let Him down, how He calls me to repentance and forgiveness, how He walks with me, how He leads me, how He blesses me, how He corrects me, how He redeems every bit of my life as I yield to Him; . . . This blessed revelation of Himself on His part, drives me deep into His Word and into His world all around me; and in both I find cause to wonder in awe at the beauty of who He is and all He does. Often I am mystified at some new facet of His love He has revealed to me. It takes prayer for guidance. It takes concentration on His Word. It takes humble and eager consideration of the marvels in His world. And so, as I contemplate His majesty, I look, I listen, I pray and I write as He declares Himself to me. In my quiet time each day I prayerfully consider scripture; I consider what others have to say about this life, this world and how they speak to my spirit in seeking Him and His Way. I consider patterns in his Word, in prayer and among His people, His church. Out of my prayerful consideration I begin writing my reflections. I play with the words and images and the patterns until it all comes together and sings to my heart. I begin writing one day, and revisit and usually “finish” my thoughts and meditations on the next. Here are three examples that began during my quiet time this past September 28.

WHO WOULD THE SAMARITAN BE?

. . . most probably
if Jesus were telling
this convicting parable
in my own worship setting
the Samaritan
would be a serious,
a caring, practicing Muslim—
and so, . . .
would my heart
manage to listen
to such counterintuitive
story telling
fashioning
such a person born
among a people
who have persecuted
so many of my
sisters and
my brothers
in the faith?
I know Jesus
would want
to change
my stony heart until
I recognized the label
this Muslim wore
was not so important
as what God was
doing in his heart
in response to
holy love calling
out to him in the
way, in the truth
and in the
singular
life of Jesus . . .

I WONDER

I wonder,
did that returned
Prodigal Son
learn his lesson
from His waiting,
loving Father
once and for all
or did he,
like me continue
to have this hankering
to wander
when some
enticing traveling show
reminded him
of those dangerous
seeming pleasures
insinuating thrills
still pretending
strong appeal
though he had found
reality among those pigs
and their squalor?

I believe,
based upon
my own
wanderings
and returnings; . . .
though he
always struggled
with such
temptations
as had ruined him,
the substance
of his Father’s love
and his forgiveness
gave him
such gratitude
and understanding
of the best
he had to give,
kept him drawing
ever closer
clinging to
the goodness
of his Father’s care.

WISDOM BRINGS DESIRE FOR TRUTH

Wisdom brings desire
for truth that lights
the way for my living
everyday.

Understanding brings
a clear decision to follow
fully as He leads me
everyday.

So wisdom drives
my heart to seek Him first
as I go walking
everyday.

And understanding
moves my heart to walk with Him
in all my ways
everyday.

M.S.
September 28, 2020

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

Psalm 119: 105