Peace
As the branches sway
birds sing,
and doggie whimpers
protecting mom from dangers unknown.
Hardness of metal chair
felt beneath
a tender tailbone
reminds of nagging pain within
even so somehow
gratitude still
flows through with Love’s
hopeful presence softening tough layers.
Now slouching, arms extend
upward
with wonder I notice
tender leaves dancing, sweet bird’s singing
wind chimes rippling across
the breeze
Heart softens and peace
no longer eludes my troubled soul.
The mysterious,
compassionate
One has entered in.
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Exodus 3:1-15 (The Message)
3 Moses was shepherding the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the west end of the wilderness and came to the mountain of God, Horeb. The angel of God appeared to him in flames of fire blazing out of the middle of a bush. He looked. The bush was blazing away but it didn’t burn up.
Moses said, “What’s going on here? I can’t believe this! Amazing! Why doesn’t the bush burn up?”
God saw that he had stopped to look. God called to him from out of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
He said, “Yes? I’m right here!”
God said, “Don’t come any closer. Remove your sandals from your feet. You’re standing on holy ground.”
Then he said, “I am the God of your father: The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.”
Moses hid his face, afraid to look at God.
_______________________________________
My experience has been that the more vulnerable I feel, the more likely to hearing God’s voice calling out from the burning bush to tell me what I need to know, will occur.
There is a reason we feel pain. When pain is physical, it alerts us to a condition that needs to be tended to before it worsens. When emotionally suffering, it is also important to take as much time as needed for mending to occur. Often physical, emotional, and spiritual pain occur simultaneously, multiplying our discomfort.
Perhaps you have also discovered that when pouring out your heart to God, ordinary occurrences of nature can speak to your soul and bring a sense of calm and peace.
There are countless ways to hide from God and avoid prayer. Even when at the park many are seen tripping over their own feet while gazing at their cell phones! It’s comical but also sad.
So much better is opening our eyes, hands, and hearts to the healing our Creator extends to us with each encounter of Love. And in that moment of light comes a smile.
We send you God’s compassionate grace and peace,
Rev. Marta Wheeler