A Place At The Harth

Predawn dark
On rain washed streets
I set out
In the early light of a new day
In hope of things to come
In wonder of the beauty all around
In trepidation of the unforeseen
Wary of hazard
Grateful for the bounty
The banquet of love
That nourishes
That sustains
That give strength
Not only to carry on
But to do so joyfully
From unexpected sources
That shouldn't have been
They were there all the time
Waiting for me to return
And accept the offered gifts
Blinded by demons within
Scales fall from eyes
Gift of sight
Friends who waited
Patiently accepting
The return of the wayward son
To the warm friendly place
Kept and preserved
By the faith of love
And hearts forever open
Gentle people
Rock and roll saints
Kindred spirits
Welcoming companions
On a prayerful journey
An arm for my shoulder
An embrace reserved
How wonderful
To know I never left

The Journey To Compassion

Today I am contemplating the the journey to compassion. I sometimes find myself intimidated by the enormity of the task, that is to become a compassionate soul. I am often discouraged by what seems to be my infinite shortcomings. I grieve at my failings and my setbacks and wonder if I will ever find the joyous end of the path. The answer is that I never will. Compassion is an infinite process. There is no mountain top to mark completion. only more climbing. It is in the climbing that one finds grace. The walk with God does not end, at least not in earthly life. The joy is in walking hand in hand with God every day and every minute. To live in the divine is to live in an eternal light, eternal warmth, eternal love. God extends her hand to all but she reaches just a little further when we practice compassion. God smiles just a little wider when we practice unconditional love. This love must go beyond family and friends, to love those who are close to us is easy, but this love must extend to those whom we detest. This is my challenge. Can I find the strength to transorm hatred to love? Will I have the strength to move from anger to joy? Love is the most empowering of all elements. Through love all things are possible. I find it easy to love God for she has shown such love to me. Will I be able to find love for all sentient beings through my love for God?

Today I vow to dedicate myself to prayer and compassionate acts. I am but human and I know that there will be many times that I stumble for the path of compassion has many ruts and stones that may disrupt the walk. I will trip and stagger. This is life. Holiness is in the recovery. To find the divine, we must take the hand of God and allow her to return us to the journey, to heal us and to mend our torn garments. To brush off the dust of our human weaknesses that, in Gods wisdom, are part of all of us,and continue our walk. Even when we fall into a ditch, God will be there with outstretched hand to restore us. It is our task to take her hand with gratitude. In gratitude to God is compassion for all our fellow beings. Praise be to the Creator and blessings to all that live.

Sacred Journey

In deep contemplation of compassion
I look down the path I must follow
It is long
An arduous journey
It ends not
With the end of life
But continues
Eternally
Joy is not in the destination
Grace is not in completion
God is the journey
The road itself is the blessing
Celebrate the doing
For in the doing
Is the divine

Friendship

Across a cafe's table
Walking a rain washed street
Sharing a thousand moments
That are a life
Reliving laughter
Re-enduring pain
Sharing a brief time
Warming
Comfort
Light on the heart
Easy on the mind
Supportive love
Acceptance and understanding
Gentle kindred spirit
Brings a smile
Even in pain
Sacred Bond
My friend

To Be Peaceful Today

How peaceful is my heart. Resting in gracious repose, steeped in joyful love. The world goes on with the horror and carnage that has always been there but inside me there is peace. This is my decision, right now, this minute, I choose to live nonviolently, with love of creation and a quiet mind.

I cannot stop war or pain or the suffering of a wounded planet. I can only heal the part that I occupy. With music and prayer I create peace, and like a forest reclaiming discarded land, peace will spread wherever it is allowed and encouraged.

In prison cells and hospital wards, in homeless shelters and the dens of the afflicted, peace can survive if it is invited. To that end I vow that today I will live peacefully with love for all that I meet. I am but human and my efforts may not be successful but I will try and with the help of a loving God and an open heart I will be peaceful today.

Joyful Thanks

Love
A soaring within
indescribably sublime
Purity of feeling
Joy unfolding

Beauty
Gentle in mind
Easy in manner
A lullaby of the heart
Sustenance

Peace
Life without fear
Joyful gathering
On common ground
Kindred spirits

Gratitude
Thanks be to Wisdom
For love
For beauty
For peace

Praise the gift of life

God Willing

Like a golden sunrise
Wisdom lights the heart
Like a full moon on forest path
Gods light guides me
Peace ever illusive
yet alive in me
In a world of pain and carnage
I somehow find love
I reach out and touch
Those who share the burden of living
Yet share the gift of life.
Eyes fixed ahead
To a time of peace
To a time of sharing and gratitude
Where fear is a memory
And hate is taboo
Where life is sacred
And spirit is prized over wealth
Where fellowship is golden
And healing reigns
If not in my lifetime
Then in my children's
I take as sacred duty
To maintain that path
To eternal love
And universal peace
God willing

Sitting With Sidney

Spent quality time with grandson Sidney yesterday. Sidney is ten but because of a developmental disability his development is that of a two year old. All the same, he is the best thing in my world. He is so full of love and joy I thank God for him everyday.

Yesterday we went walking on some hiking trails overlooking a lake. We sat in a Eucalyptus grove and just listened to the silence. I watched Sidney, wide eyed with wonder as he surveyed the serenity around him. He just sat, looked and listened. He wasn't bored or restless. He barley moved accept to lean over to give me a hug, which something he does with relish. What a contemplative soul he is. How peaceful our time together was.

I have always said that we have something to learn from everybody, even a developmentally disabled child. Yesterday I was taught about the universal joys of the creators gifts. I learned how the trees and birds and all the life on earth touches the very soul of all who love. To love nature is to love life. To love life is to love God. Thank you Sidney for sharing in the Creators love with me.