notice

I AM

awaken
arise
be still
settle
listen
inhale
confess
receive
notice

I AM

I AM

witness
believe
understand
surrender
let go
love
live
exhale
release
give

I AM

I AM

ponder
accept
reality
engage
weep
truth
heart
days
months
years
time
eternal
trust

I AM

be still love well

do you see the beauty
all around you
a dazzling sunrise
colors and clouds
singing out loud
abandoned joy
dancing across the sky

are you stilled in wonder
at the edge of forever
as melodious crashing waves
meet the coarse sand beneath your feet
when the morning sky
touches your soul
and you do
and don’t know why
tears appear
and for a moment
it’s all okay

and when you say goodbye
to another day
are you at rest
is there peace in your mind
as the sun meets the sea
are you free
are you free
to feel all your sorrows
make space for your pain
see the hope of tomorrow
when colors and clouds
will see unending days
that chase all the shadows
of your heart away
and all the loose ends
of your crazy life story
will end
in the glory
of lux aeterna

so be still
love well
just take
another step
away from the shame
eternity covers your soul
breathe into your worth
abandon the lies
confess your wrongs
step into every sad song
and just be willing
to make space
for the Way
the Truth
the Life
lux aeterna
will come for you
so be still
and love well

tranquil morning

A peaceful start to the day over the Illinois River.

maybe

maybe it’s because
the way things are
i’m longing
for what used to be
maybe it’s because
what used to be
is why the way things are

maybe it’s because
i’m remembering
a world that was gentle and true
maybe it’s because
what’s gentle and true
was forsaken and broken
back then too

maybe it’s because
we’re lost wandering souls
that it seems faith is gone
hope and love sailed away
maybe it’s because
we’ve wandered so far
the light seems so dim
we don’t know
who we are

maybe we can turn
and swim upstream
awaken and see the Way
maybe we can hear
the Truth with our ears
and Life can return
to our poor restless souls
let’s surrender
right now
all we think we know
and find His rest and peace
for only if we lose our lives
in His love and light
only then can we rise

pray with me
that we will see
the world we carry inside
mended and healed
by the Way
the Truth
the Life

the star maker knows

where is the solace
when life only brings darkness
an achromatic sunrise
unable to chase shadows
a sunset that never leaves

where is the gentle breeze
when life storms around and within
can’t breathe the rain soaked air
while i try to put on a smile
the pulse rate of my soul diminished

where are the hands
cradling a countenance
when the lonely tears
are seeking an embrace
standing in the middle of the universe
i guess the view is nice
but no one is there
to share the stars

i’ve heard it said
there is a place
where melodies and harmonies
take flight
like lullabies that never say goodnight
music you can taste
and hold in hand
or pull towards your heart
music that covers you
with a blanket of love and grace
the softest peace
a delicate abyss of joy

so i run to this place
in the darkness and the storm
i lift up my eyes
when it feels i can’t breathe
i fall into faith
when the tears want to stay
i tell my story
and let the music fill in the gaps
the star maker knows
each page of sorrow
each gaze of wonder
the calming comfort of trust
if i’m in the
pain of the valley
or the delight of the clouds
the star maker
knows
my
name
he knows my now
and my yesterdays
my what is to come

i breathe in timeless hope
i fall into
a vast fissure of love and rest

another valley is near
but
He
is
nearer

in the bleak mid-winter

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am? —
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part, —
Yet what I can I give Him, —
Give my heart. 
- Christina Georgina Rossetti

To my WordPress family: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May this season of light and joy be filled with peace for you and yours. May your new year be seasoned with adventure, love and contentment.

forever i am yours

there is a river of love
coming down for us
flowing down for us
my Lord

there is a river of hope
reaching out for us
speaking into us
my Lord

i don’t know what to make
of this world anymore
i’m tired of crying
want to see a different shore
i don’t know what to make
of these anxious thoughts
i don’t think i can take
all this pain we’ve wrought
my Lord
here’s my life
here’s my heart

there is a river of peace
oh He’s here for me
oh He’s here for you
my Lord

there is a river of life
washing over us
healing all of us
my Lord

i don’t know what to make
of this world anymore
i’m tired of crying
want to see a different shore
i don’t know what to make
of this sadness inside
just want to be awake
on the other side
my Lord
here’s my life
here’s my heart

there is a river of light
shining in the dark
singing in my heart
my Lord

there is a river of time
forever i am yours
forever i am yours
my Lord

forever i am yours
my Lord