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
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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
Sometime before we reached Mumbai
The crickets started their part
in the great symphony of the night.
“We’re still here! We’re still here!”
They sang and called me to God.
A song rose in my heart in response
that I could not sing aloud.
What would the taxi driver think?
He may have thought I was a little off.
So I let it sing inside of me:
“Lord forgive us.
We have not honored you.
We have not cared for your creation.
We have not loved one another.
We have not cared for the poor and the weak.”
We reached Mumbai.
Waited for hours to be told
No room for you on this plane.
We were escorted out of the airport
and put in a taxi
by some kind airport officials.
The taxi drove off.
The driver and his co-worker
working the phones to get us
on another flight or into a hotel
in the wee hours of the morning.
A call came,
“You are lucky! Confirmed seats
available!”
They raced us back to the airport.
Same kind officials
escorted us quickly through
the lines and waved good-bye.
There was room on the plane
after-all.
We made it, last to board,
walking in a dream.
Very grateful.
© 2014 Julie Clark
I am novice when it comes to crocheting. I’m making some progress in and learning new things slowly in what my daughter calls “Venture Crocheting”. That is the kind of crocheting where you don’t really follow a pattern just your instincts. Sometimes it works for simple things, sometimes it doesn’t. I am making a baby blanket for her new baby arriving sometime in February. I got the basic pattern down for a nice little blanket for him. The one thing I did not do, which I am learning now I should always do, is roll the yarn into a ball first. I’ve had two incidents now where I have gotten my yarn all in knots and it has taken me much time and help to get it unravelled.
The other day we were visiting friends in their lovely mountain home. A great time to bring out my blanket. It was cold outside, nice and warm inside, great conversation and food. Unfortunately, I had one of those times where my yarn got all in a jumble. It was bad. Fortunately, my friends kindly volunteered to help out. Some of them more willing than others. We we will not mention any names or gender here. The interesting conversation we were having did not exactly stop. We were talking about peace and peacemaking. How can we be peacemakers in our world filled with conflict?
As we were unravelling my knotty yarn, I thought about the knotty problems we were just talking about. Wars, conflict, ethnic cleansing, apartheid situations that are happening today. It was a great metaphor as we worked together and didn’t give up, hopeful that the yarn truly would be unknotted. And finally it was.
I thought how for the sake of our children and grandchildren we must do this work and not let the world “go to hell in a handbasket.” There are obstacles and often it seems impossible. There are naysayers who don’t believe it is possible, just cut it off (the yarn)! But how often do we want to cut people off? Or worse?
What if we all were engaged in some way with bringing “peace on earth, good will towards men” and not just waiting for the angels to do it? What if we all have a part in the world we live in or we are called to serve? What if the great areas of conflict were addressed with “faith, hope and love”? What if we practiced forgiveness and truly learned how to “live in peace with each other”? I’m quoting lots of Bible verses here that some will recognize. Sometimes we who claim to be followers of the Prince of Peace are missing a really important part of the message that He brought us.
I was encouraged in my little yarn fiasco. I have learned a lesson about rolling my yarn ahead of time. I also had faith and hope it could be worked out. I had done it before. I want to have this kind of faith and hope when I approach conflict today. “All things are possible for those who believe.” It is hard work and takes time and perseverance. For the sake of our children and grandchildren let us do our part, small or great in this good work of peacemaking.
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Not through the edict of a king or prince
Not through the strength of a warrior or general
But through the womb of a woman
The earth shook and changed for ever
She was humble, young and gentle
Yet given the power to carry
The Light of the World
Fragile as glass, at it’s first flickering
She simply said yes
And submitted to the Greater Power
The Blessed Will that desired
Peace on earth, good will toward all
Life was born
Conquered evil, brokenness and death
Once and for all
Through the womb of a woman
© 2014 Julie Clark
Falling into this world
I lost my union with the Holy One
Naked and alone
Insecure and afraid
If only I could shed this fear and anxiety
like the snake its skin or the trees their leaves in the fall
If only I could slough off the what ifs and worse case scenarios
forming in my thoughts as I scan the perimeters of my life and those I care for
The One called Love came to me first in a thought and then a dream
When I called his name the fear vanished and I was not alone
This One kept calling and calling and continues this day
restoring the union that was lost
Whenever the fear stalks in the night or confronts me in the day
if I but rest in the arms of this Love
I know I am clothed, safe and secure
Never alone, never abandoned
The circle complete again
(c) 2014 Julie Clark
This life is more than it seems,
we know.
More than these mortal bodies.
More than the eye can see,
the ear can hear,
we’ve been told.
Follow the path
ahead of you.
When all seems blocked
or obscured –
wait.
Revelation will come,
light will shine,
a voice will speak,
or cloud will surround
and open the way
for you to go.
Transformation
or Transfiguration
will expand
your heart and life
to carry more
love and glory.
© 2014 Julie Clark
Something new was birthed in me
or maybe a small flicker of flame
caught the wind
I did not plan it or expect it
it just began to grow
from a seed planted
who knows when or where
It is like that sometimes
I mean to go this way
but end up going that way
or something small
becomes something of great importance
I guess that is what it means
to be lead by the breathe
of a Holy Wind
instead of rigid and set
No room to grow and reshape
if the clay becomes hard and dry
No worries if that happens
God has his ways to
soften us up again.
© 2014 Julie Clark
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