In the stillness of this autumn morning, a single leaf falls,
let loose from the mooring that birthed it, gave it life.
In abandon, it falls to take its place on the carpet below,
no longer one alone but one of a myriad, its identity seemingly lost.
But it is not lost.
It is seen by the gaze of the Creator-God Who knows even now
if it will be gathered to burn in the pungent fire
or find its place on the fertile soil of tomorrow’s garden.
Sara McKeefer, October 16, 2014
A train in the distance heralds impending danger at crossing after crossing,
and just as surely as it comes, it fades into farmland, its mournful call forgotten.
We seldom hear the real harbingers of danger, but deep in our spirit
we feel their impending presence and know the certainty of approaching peril,
despite the lack of sight or sound.
Overshadowing this perfect morning of blue skies, gentle breeze, teeming life,
there is a hollowness, a sadness, that descends as surely as the sun rises.
It is the certain knowledge of children slain by madmen, crazed by ideology
so abhorrent, so base, I scarce can take it in.
The stillness is interrupted once more, but it is the mournful cries
of mothers and fathers ascending to Heaven that I hear,
and I cannot help but ask how long they must endure.
Father of Comfort, my spirit cries, hold them in the shelter of Your embrace.
Father of Life, safeguard their shattered hearts and give them hope.
Father of Mercy, deliver them from darkness to light.
You require even more from your servants
who minister to the body of Christ.
You require transparency,
honesty in all of our affairs,
forthrightness in our conversation,
integrity in what we say
and do not say.
You require a heart turned toward you
that we may walk upright and blameless
and an ear turned toward the world
that we may hear the heart-cries of those
bound by the world.
You look for the person who will do these things
simply because their heart is turned toward you.
You are the Truth
that sustains us while we walk this earth,
and lifts us as wings of eagles
to ride the thermals of God
over storms that gather in the distance
and strike fear in our hearts.
You have hid us from the evil one
and protected us from our own folly.
You have placed us time and time again
in the cleft of the rock
when we have strayed into danger.
You have covered us with your feathers
and sheltered us under your wings.
Like the loving parent you are
You have preserved us.
And it is You, O gracious Father,
who releases us one day
to soar on wings like eagles.
In the stillness... 