Pressure all around
Chaos in the air
I don’t know which way is up
Which is down
It must be time for change
Again
Now to see this dark
In the light
That is my challenge
That is my goal
To cooperate
With the forces at work
To change me more into
The person I long to be
The one I was breathed to be
So much is out of my control
Yet so much is in my power
To say yes
And let go
To watch this fire
Burn all that is not gold
© 2012 Julie Clark
I.
Is there room in my heart
For the ones excluded, tossed out, forbidden to enter?
Can I scoot over
Just a bit, move my junk
So another can lie down and rest
For awhile
Until it is safe again to venture out?
It’s a stretch
I like my privacy
My quiet my space
I’m tired and weary
But they more so.
II.
So here I am
Trying to live the life
I believe in
Yet, struggling to do so
Something in me
Just wants to be left alone
To be quiet
To have some space
To get well and strong again.
But there are too many
Who have far less
Peace than I
Who need something
That I have plenty of.
Can I just share and be glad
Because I know it is all worth the while
To give away my extra
To another
Somehow it multiplies
And I end up with more
Than I had to start with
With joy beaming on top
Like a shiny red
Cherry smiling
From a hot fudge
Sunday.
© 2012 Julie Clark
I am the traveler
On a journey
You are the gate
To the path, the way
That leads to life
You are the light
That shines in the dark
Illuminating my way
You are my strength
When the road is steep
And my hope grows dim
You are my shade
When the sun bears down
You are the song
The birds are singing
To cheer my heart
When it becomes heavy
My companion
When I need to talk
My GPS
When I lose my way
You are the strong love
That keeps fear away
When wild things
Rage and roar
The sword that flashes
When danger nears
You are the fresh water
In the stream
When I grow thirsty
You are my home
At last
That I am forever
Longing for.
© 2012 Julie Clark
There are just times
When beauty is not in full display
But only to be seen when hunted for
Showing through the cracks
A mattress on the floor
Will do for a while
It opens up the world
For life and adventure
I would miss
If I insisted on sleeping
Only in my own room
With my elevated
Queen size mattress
Off the floor
I would have missed
So much bustle and activity
Being available
To hold a new-born baby
Colors bursting forth
In fabrics, faces and flowers
Handing out fresh bread and water
To the hungry and the thirsty
Yet, I am starting to miss
That elevation
And the tranquility
Of familiarity
Discerning the times and seasons
Is important now
Before I wear too thin
And have little to give
I believe it is time to move
Back off the floor
© 2012 Julie Clark
Time to grow again
Head for the woods for a walk
Look for the log
That fills my eye
Coming from my heart
It distorts my vision
Of the other
Puts them in the worst light
And me in the best
Help me, Father
Take this log
So that I may turn and love my brother
© 2012 Julie Clark
In the wee hours tomorrow morning we will begin our journey home. I am tired but happy. Two months away, from where I now call home, is good for this 54 year old, mom and new grandmother. I’ve been stretched a bit, which is always a good cure for fossilization.
My overwhelming feeling is gratefulness. I am grateful to have been near when my grandson was born and help his parents in the first three weeks of his sweet life. I am grateful that there is still work for me to do here in these Asian lands where I have spent two thirds of my adulthood. To see life and growth in those I have invested has brought much joy to my heart. I am grateful to continue to work with and walk along side my partner and husband of 33 years.
The dramatic Central Asian spring bursting in color and freshness contributes to my feelings of hope. Truly life is at work in our world. Seeds push through the ground after awhile and life is renewed. The natural world mirrors the spiritual world. The Kingdom of God intersects with our lives on planet earth and life continues to burst forth. It takes some perspective combined with time to see it happen. For time and perspective I am also grateful.
Bread of heaven
Coming down from the Father
Giving life to the world
I take this bread
I believe in the One sent
To feed the world
The life it so desperately needs
Being gluten intolerant
It’s wise to switch from this earthly bread
Which makes me sick
I can’t digest it
No life in it for me
Maybe we are all gluten intolerant
When it comes to
Substituting
Bread of Life
For whatever we fill our hunger with
It will kill us in the end
Instead of nourishing us
And bringing
Life forevermore
© 2012 Julie Clark
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