She opened her heart to a joy so wide
the hills turned to dust,
and the mountains made way
for river of love
to flow in
from another dimension.
Teaming with life,
it roared through her heart
into a new generation,
and they became connected
to an endless ocean.
There is a miracle that flows
through the heart of woman.
She didn’t create it,
but when she allows
it to wash away her boulders
and clear a path
through her wilderness-
wow.
In a world of illusions and shifting shadows,
the power to bring forth life
is truly Divine.
It takes courage to open yourself that wide –
to give glee
the keys to your kingdom,
to dance all night with cherubim
with the darkness perched all around,
waiting for an opportunity to move in.
No matter what happens in this world,
never doubt
the beauty
of your openness to life.
That golden glory
you felt so deeply
was eternity,
and it will always be real.
Even as the darkness closes in,
never forget you hold
the thread of light
that will lead you home.
1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.”
Isiah 44:3 3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
John 7 37-39
37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
“God’s loveliest masterpiece is the heart of a mother.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
I started writing this poem thinking of my grandmother on Mother’s day. She is a faith-filled woman, who is totally devoted to her family. She has never travelled further than Michigan from southern Illinois, but I have no doubt the twinkle in her eye, the magic in her heart, the grace of her constancy in prayer and her openness to miracles has moved mountains, and created a whole lot of heaven here all over the earth. When I was a little girl she took me by the hand down the hallway into her jewelry box for a “keepsake” and delighted in me as I took her jewels, whatever I wanted. When I grew up I realized she had allowed me to take her diamond bracelet my grandpa had given her for her anniversary. Her joy was in giving, not keeping for herself. She helped me cultivate a sense of the sacred, magic, wonder, awe and humor, delight in the little things and compassion for those, who suffer. Also a sense of worth in the worth she saw in me. She is always giving of her treasures, mostly her heart and love and prayers. And always opening her heart to reflect on those, who were suffering more than her in spite of her own many, many struggles. I am always surprised to hear people complain about their children because by her delight, she taught me to delight in their pure hearted innocence and see the best in them. I am always surprised by apathy because she taught me a deep sense of compassion around her kitchen table infused into every open-hearted conversation, contemplating world events and the suffering of those in need.
I also thought of the way grandma passed her open-hearted magic, joy and compassion to my own mother, who has filled my heart with free spirited humor, laughter, joy and magic, along with a sense of wonder in learning, poetry and nature, along with a great concern for social justice.
And now I have my own daughter to pour all the joy, love, and openness of life into, along with my three sons.
It’s terrible the way life’s trials press in on the light of love that passes through families. My family is no exception has been through some really heavy and dark challenges, but the openness to life, love and the grace of God always triumph in the end, where such great love is present.
I pray God’s grace can heal any trauma and unbelief from our family tree and flow through my heart into future generations in beautiful ways, which glory our wonder working God and honor the sacrifices my ancestors have made for me.
Lord, give us the grace of an openness to life! Help us to embrace the fullness of your spirit in our hearts and minds and pass that grace to others. Help us to be living signs of your love, pointing to your glory. Heal our family lineage of any beliefs, which block us from fully embracing your life-giving love and sharing it with others. Heal us, that we may be a sign of your goodness in the world and draw others into loving communion with you. Protect us. Make us wise. Clear any blockages in our hearts or minds, which limit your life giving love from flowing through into the world. Flow through us fully into the world, that others may know you. That we may continue to know, honor and glorify you. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.”
― Teresa of Ávila
written by Nicky Gant for http://www.uniteinprayer.org 5/16/2022