Onward

Blue Clematis, September 2020

 

With graceful resolve

she climbs towards the sunlight

taking us with her

Dawn

Marti Gras Rose, September 2020

 

May I have grace to

carry the promise of dawn

into every hour

Marti Gras Rose, September 2020

* These sweetheart roses bloom in clusters at Fair Haven UMC in Houston. I admire them every time I volunteer at the food pantry. They bring to mind the soft, glowing colors of dawn. 

Evening Walk

Black foot Daisy, September 2020

 

Wild daisies make

a delightful ruckus, just

by being themselves

Home

Vervain Hoary Verbena, September 2020

 

The open house waits

beauty grows up and around 

who will call it home?

Morning Song

Butterfly Vine, September 2020

 

Bright yellow and green

rise out of their shaded bed

with a song of hope

Morning Collect

Red Geranium, September 2020

Let the rain collect,

find its way down to the roots

drop by shining drop

Let mercy collect,

find its way down to the roots

drop by shining drop

Let goodness collect,

find its way down to the roots

drop by shining drop

Let __________ collect,

find its way down to the roots

drop by shining drop

After the Rain

Morning Glory, September 2020

 

 Early fall reveals

the rain-rumpled side of you, 

where glory abides

Flight of the Hummingbirds

May I discover sources of nourishment set before me

May I be willing to see another perspective

May I trust myself in flight

May I dare to be fully alive.

May I take myself lightly.

May I know when to rest.

May I know when to depart.

Hummingbirds, 2020

Planting

School House Lilies, September 2020

I planted pain once

it came up more beautiful

than I imagined

* I am pondering the difference between "burying" pain and planting it. Planting with love and intention might allow pain to get connected to underground/unseen resources that will nourish/heal in a mysterious way - allowing pain to become part of the life/death/life cycle (also known as resurrection). Still pondering.

 

Caught Up

Morning Glory on the Back Fence, September 2020

I pray that you are 

caught up in the morning light

and held in her peace

 

Breaking the Fast

Pecos Benedictine Monastery, February 2017
 

No apology

for being late to dinner

my soul was feasting

You come near and they all gather around, feasting from your open hands, and each is satisfied from your abundant supply. Psalm 104:28 TPT

Care for a Walk?

Pecos Benedictine Monastery, February 2017

 

Winter afternoon

distant bells are keeping time,

let's walk the worn path

Here

Pecos Benedictine Monastery, April 2016

 

What golden prayer grows

in the center of your heart?

you can bring it here

Vis-à-vis

Pecos Benedictine Monastery, April 2016

 

This was the moment,

the moment I fell in love

and never turned back

View from the Bridge

Pecos Benedictine Monastery, February 2017

 Who would you most like to meet here?

First Light

Pecos Benedictine Monastery, February 2017

Walking at day break

the world is created new

blessed by blushing sky

Sky and Stones

Pecos Benedictine Monastery, February 2017

 

Glory all around

sky and stones, sunlight and snow

my soul breathes it in

* But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. Psalm 131:2 NRSV

Seek

Pecos Benedictine Monastery, April 2016 

 

Seek and you will find

undiscovered treasure in

the field of your heart

Thresholds

Pecos Benedictine Monastery, April 2016

Holy are the doors

that lead us to remember

our belovedness

* This week's photos are from silent group retreats to Our Lady of Guadalupe Abbey in Pecos, New Mexico in April 2016 and February 2017.

September 11

Artwork by Garth Williams, 1986

May we be carried

through this day and through this life

on the wings of peace

* The illustration is from a book of children's poetry from my Mother's teaching days. I return to this image every year on 9/11. I am moved and comforted by this beautiful rendering of the twin towers as the background for the child's joyful innocence. 

Longing

Eastern Black Swallowtail, September 2020

How we long to see 

the things hidden in the leaves

nestled in our days

Tattered

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, September 2020

 

Bring your tattered wings

into September's garden

you are welcome here

Fall Prayer Garden

Prayer Garden, Fall 2020

 

I follow the path

into autumn, where gathered

treasure points the way

 * Click here for Christine Sine's post that inspired my prayer garden. 

Burning Bush

African Daisy, September 2020

 

Rekindle the flame

at the center of my heart

where I wait for you

Sunday Blessing

 

Bachelor Button, August 2020

Breathe in this blessing

you are seen and deeply loved,

precious in God's sight

Held

 

Light Pink Penta, August 2020

When great and tiny fears pop open,

remind me that love is greater still.

What you Seek

Black Swallowtail Butterfly, August 2020

 

The evening breeze stirs

I hope you find what you seek

in the wild green

Devotion

Our Lady, August 2020

In my neighborhood,

Mary lives one street over

and I never knew

* On an evening walk through the neighborhood, I turned down a street that I hadn't walked before. How special to see a neighbor's outdoor shrine to Mary, lovingly tended. 

Evening Vespers

Evening Walk at Sunset, August 2020

Cicadas sing out

the trees sigh and settle in

silver lining shines

 

Love

Flavia Lilies, August 2020

 

The fragrance of love

cultivated over time

will fill the whole house

*The lilies are a gift from my husband of 26 years. 

As Madeleine L'Engle writes, marriage is a "two-part invention."