He fell on the sidewalk...
I saw him fall,
too drunk to walk
he could only crawl
to a scraggly tree
that grew near the street;
and with help of that tree
he got on his feet.
In my heart always,
God, help me see
he got on his feet
for-
there was A Tree!

-Ruth Bell Graham

Spiritual Clothing

"Lord will you open my eyes once again?" I ask

"Look and you will see" says the Lord
I see a shirt floating in the air. It is so simple and light. It appears to be thin and clear and yet as it twists in the air I see a light gray color that reminds me of armor.

I think to myself: What is it for Lord?
And this is what I hear:
"To cover you - To protect your heart - To keep you from evil-in-your-heart.
It's thin- but it can do the job perfectly. If you put it on right, it preserves the freshness of
your heart-spirit-mind."

I am consumed with the simplicity and strength that is found in this shirt.
I can't help but think why me Lord? Why would you offer it to me?
"I am revealing to you the care that I take when it comes to you.
This shirt can only fit one- it's measurements are made specific or it would not work.
Listen to me: guard your heart. I love how I made you. I have signed, sealed and delivered you."

"What is the cost?" I know this question must be asked.

"This one is free" replies Jesus, "it is a gift. You have to put it on. It is a gift from a Daddy."



this occurred while doing the spiritual exercise found on stirthewater.com

Rest

"Lord, I'm tired... will you drink some tea with me and help my mind to be at rest?"

"Let me, if I may, be welcomed to my room in winter by a glowing hearth, in summer by a vase of flowers; if I may not, let me think how nice they would be, and bury myself in my work. I do not think that the road to contentment lies in despising what we have not got. Let us acknowledge all good, all delight that the world holds, and be content without it."

-George Macdonald

Seeing Jesus...

my thoughts: where are you Lord?
"I am here on the couch next to you and yet everywhere in this room." he responds and then opens my eyes to see.
my thoughts: you look two dimensional to me and yet you can not be bound by dimensions. You look as though you are looking right at me and yet you are looking everywhere. You are sitting here with me and yet floating in the air.
my thoughts: why are you here Lord?
"to comfort your son
to sing to your heart
to heal the brokenness
to love, to remind you
to comfort
because you asked, because you care
to love, to shine, to help
to impart wisdom
to be a dad
to hold your hand
to remind you to pray
because I knew you would look tonight -
and this is where you could see me
to love
and that is all you need to know :)"
replied my Jesus

this occurred while doing the seeing Jesus exercise off of stirthewater.com

-Ruth Bell Graham

God,
bless all young mothers
at end of day.
kneeling wearily with each
small one
to hear them pray.
Too tired to rise when done...
and yet they do;
longing just to sleep
one whole night through.
Too tired to sleep...
Too tired to pray...
God,
bless all young mothers
at close of day.