~dedicated to my mom
Poems From The Porch
photo by Brooke Lark on unsplash.com
Everything in life is intended for your nourishment by the One Who cares for you dearly.
It is natural that you would prefer the sweet to the bitter, but both are necessary.
There are parts of you that can only be developed by the sting of the bitter on your tongue, and the sweet treats serve as catalysts to bolster your hope.
Salty and savory have their roles, too, adding a spicy variety to the meal.
Have you ever thought that God must be penalizing you for your sins when you are weeping the bitter tears of hardship?
Have you also wondered what you did to deserve the consolations of a yummy, unexpected opportunity?
The answer to these questions is that you are here by invitation only and for your edification. The Organizer of the banquet has summoned you.
Bitter and sweet are not calculated moves, they just come with the feast of your life.
You cannot have one without the other because no menu is offered from which you might choose.
Provided, instead, is a balanced meal designed to feed and catalyze your soul.
The vegetables are not there to punish you, and dessert is not there to reward you.
So bless the meal, and offer thanks for both the spinach and the lemon meringue pie.
Engaging With The Poem
Poetry can be a doorway to the soul and your own creativity. Throughout the ages, the written word has been used as a means to access personal truth and as a vehicle for prayer through the practice of sacred reading (lectio divina). I encourage you to try this beautiful practice and let its fruits be self-evident.
How to Practice Sacred Reading
· READ · REFLECT · RESPOND · REST
Read the passage through slowly more than once, noticing how it feels in your body and the response of your heart.
Reflect: What word resonates with you? What phrase speaks to you? What overall personal meaning comes to you? Allow yourself to follow a tangent.
Respond by making space for the prayer of your heart to manifest. Write down the words and/or phrases that resonate with you and allow them to arrange themselves into your own poem or prayer.
Rest with your eyes closed, perhaps using the word that most resonates with you as your mantra for silent meditation.
Dear friend,
May your mind be peaceful and calm, may your body be relaxed and comfortable, and may your heart be filled with love.
Thank you for reading.
Blessings and gratitude, Ani