Give Off Gladness

Good morning…

One reason I love to go to the Ignatius House Retreat Center is to browse their library of soulful books. The last morning of our retreat, I sat in my soft borrowed bed and flipped through pages of books I considered purchasing. One of these was Thirst, a book of Mary Oliver poems. As I played among the pages, I was drawn to this poem first.

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WHEN I AM AMONG THE TREES by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”

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My soul also thirsts for God’s peaceful power. I am drawn out into the canopy of creation, and daily. Even on a short walk in fresh air, I am able to harness hints of gladness. I can get so distant from the hope inside myself when I try to keep up with the busy crowd, when I scurry away from my center to meet clashing needs, when I hurry too fast to notice the trees, the bees, the passing breeze. I need to pause, to step outside, to quietly sense the wispy whispers of God.

“Stay awhile.”

“It’s simple.”

“You too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.”

Trees are constantly moving, dancing, totally in touch with the unpredictability of the wild wind. Though their branches and leaves rarely stay still, trees are difference than the rushing water and us hurried people. Trees remain rooted, gladly grounded, sunken deep into God’s nourishing soil. At the very same time, their outermost parts sway sweetly in sync with the subtle Spirit.

How might we be like each trusting tree?

Crowds of disheartened people ask, “Who can show us what is good?”

Let Your brilliant face shine upon us, O Eternal One, that we may know the undeniable answer.

You have filled me with joy, and happiness has risen in my heart, great delight and unrivaled joy, even more than when bread abounds and wine flows freely.

Tonight I will sleep securely on a bed of peace because I trust You, You alone, O Eternal One, will keep me safe (Psalm 4:6-8, VOICE).

Sleeping securely on a bed of peace as we trust in God alone, we are filled with unrivaled joy. “Who can show us what is good?” demands the disheartened crowd. With the LORD’s brilliant face shining upon us and a sense of great delight rising in our hearts, we know and we share God’s undeniable answer.