They ran the race, sometimes battered and worn, but always sustained by their faith and grace, knowing the day would come, and they’d be done. Thy will done, earthly cares in better view, they’d lay down all they carried, all they held. Gone, so it seems, more than wind came their way. Left with love in their hearts, and on their minds, pure as saints, these souls in great shape proceed, with everything gained, and not a bit lost.
“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” – St. Clare of Assisi
In Your infinite wisdom, You loved us into being. A gathering—heart, soul, mind, bound together in body. Created in your image, everyone, always, to you, seen and heard, and held dearest.
The one thing you ask, just one, to live and breathe with Your love, in our hearts and on our minds. Sometimes it seems quite simple, sometimes it is rather hard, but You make it possible, if only we walk Your way.
It is Your love, Yours alone, that inspires a heart to grow, to be open to others, celebrating one and all. Recognizing Whom we’re from, is what brings us together, helps us withstand the weather.
He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40
Envision all the places where you go, what you do, what you don’t, and what you won’t, drawn up alongside thoughts and spoken words, that swim about, inside and all around. What paves your way? What picture do you paint?
Consider where and what you long to be, the goal—the object of your desire, with whom your heart is shared, or maybe spared, as you maneuver about, here and there. What drives you? In what do you find purpose?
Imagine all your living, broken down, bit by bit, into service and giving, drawn up alongside thoughts and spoken words, that swim about, inside and all around. Who paves your way? What picture do you paint?
Do not have Jesus Christ on your lips, and the world in your heart. – St. Ignatius of Antioch
Under the surface, coursing deep within The passages and chambers of one’s heart, Is what pulses through, leads them by the nose, Causing stumbling, bumbling, fool hardy ways.
If humans move to the things they admire, Walking to the beat of what sets their fire, Never stopping to seek something higher, The better of us, will be lost—gotten.
Under the surface, coursing deep within The passages and chambers of one’s heart, Is what pulses through, leads them to good will, Causing careful, kind, faithful, loving ways.
If humans move to things worth admiring, Walking to the beat of great communion, Pausing often to seek something higher, The best of us, will be rediscovered.
If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others. Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 2:1-5
So it is, that the wise grow into the wisdom planted within, drawn to it, and like the birds of the sky, spread their wings, taking flight. As they journey, they move with great care and purpose beyond what moves the circus all around them. Somehow, they know, even when they don’t, even before they understand, the gentle call of their maker, “This is the way. Walk in it,” takes hold, becoming the whisper that stirs their heart, compels their mind, turning word upon word into deed, ever intent on giving greater glory to One, living life, and living it well, day and year in and out, ever homeward bound.
So it was, so it is, so it will be, for all ages, for those who came and went, and are to come.
But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. – Matthew 13:23
When darkness casts its shadow over the light of day, and honesty, integrity, and justice for one and all, fall prey to villainous cries, Spirit, true and wise, persists, quietly raises up prayer, instills faith and inspires change, working steadily for good, uncovering all ill will, and making known the Divine.
Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. – Psalm 89:2a
Through the waves of dissonance, steady and in great calmness, Truth works its way to the front, making known what was hidden, replacing what’s distorted, shining light on what’s debased, transforming what’s been disturbed, renewing all purpose and bringing a meaningful state.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord; and you also will testify. – John 15:26b, 27a
We are His, the Lord’s, people, the sheep of His flock. The One we belong to, so much better than great, Carries all without blame, no excuses, no lies, Just a care that runs deep and a heart of pure Love.
While one pretends, leading others astray and awry, The Lord, ever-present, makes clear to the willing, What’s honest and true, compared to what’s opposite. Eyes open or not, the Lord is faithful to all.
Know that the Lord is God, he made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the flock he shepherds. – Psalm 100:3
To remember the Lord God across experiences, in the bliss of greatest highs, during the lulls and lows too, and all the places between, is but part of honest faith.
Giving praise and all glory involves so much more than that, a heart, mind, and soul willing and free, receiving great Love, breathing out in word and deed that same Love without distance.
Taking and giving what’s Good, sharing among the many, knowing Christ in body, blood, guiding light, for what is right, showing care to all, for all, with room to grow, not to shrink.
Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. – 1 Corinthians 10:17
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