Good morning…
I read aloud this powerful poem as we entered into the crucible of Lent. I invite you now to savor deep wisdom. Slowing. Silently. Soulfully. Which words sparkle most in the eyes of your maturing heart?
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It Takes Time by NOEL DAVIS FROM “HEART GONE WALKABOUT”
It takes time to bake a loaf of bread,
to grind, to knead, to wait….
Time for friends to break and share their lives.
It takes time to craft in wood,
to strip, to wound, to bleed….
Time for the original to be released from the prison of our fear.
It takes time for us to build
and fortify our lives,
Time for the steal of the Divine to slay our pride.
It takes time to be with pain,
to yield and let the healing have its way,
Time in the darkness to trust the dawn.
It takes time to be alone
to become one’s intimate friend,
Time in the dry for the hidden stream to fill the empty well.
It takes time to wait in silence
for the coming of the spring.
Time for the bud to swell on winter’s dreams.
It takes time to let your life be turned around,
to accept a vision’s death,
Time in the void to see with different eyes.
It takes time to still within
and merge with life,
Time in the wild to let a river slow you down.
It takes time to tend a crop of grain,
to plough, to sow, to wonder….
Time for love to ripen and be harvested.
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Then Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like a man who plants seed in the ground. The seed begins to grow. It grows night and day. It doesn’t matter whether the man is sleeping or awake, the seed still grows. He doesn’t know how it happens. Without any help the ground produces grain. First the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in the head. When the grain is ready, the man cuts it. This is the harvest time” (Mark 4:26-29, ERV).
Between yesterday, Ash Wednesday, and Easter morning, forty-five days from now, might we give ourselves time to notice the kingdom of God maturing mysteriously among us?
…Sue…
P.S. Public speaking is not my forte, but I promised to record for you the teaching time during our Women’s Lenten Lunch and Learn. In the month of March we will be studying Paula D’Arcy’s Winter of the Heart: Finding Your Way Through the Mystery of Grief. Here is the link to yesterday’s talk, in case you want to follow along with our class.
3/2 We All Have Our Cross to Bear
3/9 No Class – Spring Break
3/16 Discuss Introduction, Chapters 1 & 2
3/23 Discuss Chapters 3 & 4
3/30 Discuss Chapters 5, 6 & 7 – We Are Wrapped in Power
Because of spring break, our class will not meet next week. Instead, I will be boarding a plane tonight with my husband Steve as he leads an eclectic group of us on my first trip to Israel. (This is Israel trip number ten for Steve.) Highlighting his wise teaching, I will post about the centering word Steve shares with us each day as we explore the footsteps of Jesus for the next ten days. Come along vicariously!
