(Every now and then I have a dream that really sticks to me. I sense there is a message for me. In my dream I am cleaning my friend’s mountain house. We are leaving and she and her family are on their way. They arrive before we are finished. I keep cleaning. She says to me “I have something for you”. I have to stop cleaning to receive the gift she has for me. It is a beautiful bracelet.)
Sometimes we have to stop
To stop being useful
To receive the gift
The gift of being
Truly loved
It is a shelter
To be known and loved
When you are welcome
No matter your faults and foibles
You are loved
A part of the family
The community
You matter
You are connected to these people
We are meant to learn to love
In families
In clans and tribes
But not always the case
In our fragmented society
So we must build bridges
Connections with other human beings
We are connected
With each other after all
Through our ancestors
Our Creator
We all live together on this earth
Our survival and ability to thrive
Depends on it
So smile
Speak a kind word
Bridge the gap
You will see
You will feel
Those connections
Thr knitting of the hearts
Lend a hand
Take a hand
Understand and learn
From each other
Forgive and be forgiven
Start fresh
Believe the best
Be your best
We can do this together
Love is real
Maybe not everyone
Finds the miracle they are looking for
You are still limping in pain
and I am gasping for air
Maybe there are other miracles we are finding
Still being loved by family
With all our brokenness and faults
These babies born to our children
Smiling and clinging onto our fingers
With the message:
“I need you to be strong and light the way”
The friendships that have endured
Despite separations and years of silence
Still hearing the Voice of the Beloved asking:
Do you trust me?
Have I loved well today?
The unexpected guest who shows up
When my house is a mess?
The beloved spouse or irritating boss
Who gives me a list of extra things to do
When I am already overwhelmed?
The child who just does not
Seem to understand the meaning
Of the word “No”?
What about the media inflated or created
Unseen enemies?
Have I loved them well?
Prayed for God’s mercy and love to shower them?
Have I loved well today?
Those who don’t get me
Misunderstand me
Judge me
Think I am wasting my time?
What about those who snub me
Forget me
Don’t find me important enough
For their time of day?
It’s really all that He has asked me to do.
His one last dying request
Some days are better than others.
I have to confess
I have not loved well today
Lord have mercy
He does
He always does.
© 2013 Julie Clark
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