Wednesday, March 31, 2010

When all the dust was wiped clean ....
and the windows poured in afternoon spring light...
the community came over for an Easter Tour of Homes
to help raise money for the new community center.
And I looked at a picture of Him
as I encouraged the crowd to join me in the kitchen
where grandma's dishes graced the wooden table.
And I looked at the picture of Him again
as the folks made their way upstairs.
And every which way I went through the house,
I was reminded of Him.
And that He loved me this much...
Y es, this much.
And yes, that is a real tree in my house...
after all,
trees are very much a part of The Story.

Between the living room and the study
I planted a dogwood tree.
Legend is the cross was made out of dogwood...
We will plant it in the yard this Easter,
bury it's roots in earth
so that it may continue to live.


And the Stations of the Cross hang
on branches,
our version of Easter-ornaments
.


Thursday, March 11, 2010

Benjamin in the Woods


"Maybe nothing is more important than that we keep track, you and I, of these stories of who we are and where we have come from and the people we have met along the way because it is precisely through these stories in all their particularity… that God makes himself known to each of us most powerfully and personally."
-Frederick Buechner

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Silent Retreat at Subiaco Abbey

"As morning breaks we sing of your mercy, Lord,
and night will find us proclaiming your fidelity."

Collectively we gather to speak words of faith and truth.
We let our lips sing praise, lest the rocks cry out.
We practice the spiritual disciplines
of silence, prayer, journaling..
And I fail again. And again.
Mouth of mine breaks vow of silence all too easily....
out of habit, out of going along with the throng,
out of wanting to know and be known.
And yet He still surrounds me with His love,
the kind that is everlasting.
That God- love that never fails.

I withdraw again to a quiet place- alone,
for even glances of the eye try to speak,
wanting acceptance from earthly creatures.
My heart is laid bare before me, and I cry out His words,
because mine are no good...
"Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a right spirit within me."
And He answers.
Renewed heart hums, ready to serve-
"I have been blessed by the Lord...
and now, I get to be the blessing."
For Ann's beautiful words about the silent retreat: