Muster up your strength
gather your wits
grab a bike
hop a bus
catch the ferry
book a flight
or just put on
your shoes
follow the signs
and get out-of-town
It’ll do you a world of good
to slow down
change your point of view
breathe some fresh air
hear the wind in the trees
or the call of the gulls
Stop, look, and listen
for signs and messages
take beauty personally
this is for me
I too am beloved
© 2015 Julie Clark
When I find myself
daydreaming
about another
place to live
quiet, peaceful
clean and uncluttered
wrapped in beauty
like a multicolored scarf
from India
and start searching
the island websites
for the latest
houses on the market
I know it’s time to
rest again
to
wait
for something to change
the wind to shift its course
strength to gather in my bones
a new burst of energy
to finish a task
long calling for my attention
for thoughts to string together
to make sense of this season
for gratefulness to replace
lethargy
I’ve been told
“Strength will come
for those who wait.”
© 2015 Julie Clark
I have thrown out
a lot of dirty bath water
and I am sure
I have more to throw
down
the drain
But I am hanging on
for dear life to that baby
because the baby
is my life
line to life
He grew up to be
my Savior
and I for one
desperately
needed and still need
saving
He keeps my head
steady
when all around
the walls are crumbling
down
Through the fire
I go
and the rain
the waves lifting high
and falling
“steady as she goes”
I’m not going
down
with depression or
self-deception
Rising instead
up
walking on those waves
holding on to that strong hand
until I make it
across the water
to the other side
where the table is set
and there is room
for all who will come
© 2015 Julie Clark
Natural or made by man
lost, lonely, wild
road’s end
path unseen by
naked eye to
naked I
Forgotten, desolate
dangerous place
to be
Another purpose
unseen by me
greater use
of sanding, refining
turning
my waste places
into potential
gardens
where seeds of
patience, kindness,
love and joy
have room to grow
without my
interference
© 2015 Julie Clark
Peace is
in the centering
by strong potter’s hands
amidst the
spinning whirling
world going by.
Then shaped
and formed
useful and
beautiful
ready for
glazed colors
and fire
to set and harden
to last
my life time.
Coming
again and again
to that place
of centering
peace
until
every piece
is given over
to be shaped
and formed
added to
the masterpiece
called me.
© 2015 Julie Clark
Heading out
some day
We all are
One way in
and another way out
Could be serious
or not
my friend tells me
of her illness
Too close again
for comfort
My heart is achy
Is it a mere door or
will we go through a tunnel
to another world
or a dimension
just beyond ours
where all is well and whole
one day to be
together
as heaven reunites
with earth?
© 2015 Julie Clark
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Are there certain angels
just really good at math?
Figuring out the
sowing and reaping
equations for every
single person alive?
Or calculating
resources versus
generosity?
Or how much faith
it takes, to say,
throw a mountain
into the sea,
or for that matter
be marked
with the Holy Spirit?
Does all of heaven
just know these things
while most of us are just
scratching the surface
or scratching our heads?
© 2015 Julie Clark
Could it be
as simple as
paying attention
to the messages
God sends me
every day
and
loving
those put in
my path?
The messages
(love notes really)
delight me
and call forth
gratitude and
praise.
The loving part
stretches me
to become
more of the person
I am meant to be
and strengthens
the other
on their
journey.
Strengthened bonds
build communities
and the world
becomes a better
place
for all to live.
© 2015 Julie Clark
The voice sometimes takes over,
all good intentions of course,
but it forgets
the ears have a job to do as well.
As the lips move, passion builds
as a case is made,
losing connection with the heart of the other,
forgetting the words of the Holy Book:
“Be quick to listen,
slow to speak
slow to become angry.”
How much better to first give the ears
their chance,
rein in the tongue of fire,
and opinions for awhile
Be prepared to learn from another’s
point of view.
Wisdom’s treasures
are often found
in hidden places,
for the quick to listen
to hear them.
© 2015 Julie Clark
The house was filled with light
as the sun rose
over the tree tops
over the lake
Warmth and light
expanded our hearts
We drank it in
as we had not seen the sun
in several days.
The light also pushed
into the shadows of the house
Showing what needed
dusting, cleaning
a smudge here
a dust bunny there
a streak across the glass
Not to be afraid of the light
Let it in
Let it bring healing and cleansing
Not to be afraid of the hard work
of the soul
to bring deep lasting
much-needed change
to the shadow places in my heart
Oh that I would run to the light
and stay there
just as my small dog finds
a sunny spot
and curls up to nap
The past experiences
of facing my shadows
and not dying
but living through it
to become more whole
reminds me that I will again
live through any pain
the light may reveal
© 2015 Julie Clark
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