In Search of You

In search of You

As a child I only knew you only by name

My actions always bringing shame

You were the Zeus, the lighting bolt cast down

Forever bringing me low to the ground

Oh how I feared you, your power to break me

Your punishments only to shake me

In my youth I gave up looking for you

Who could be so terrible sending tragedy, casting people about

Off I drifted onto the sea with just glimpse of you 

The light on the shore

I longed for the pleasures of the world

Work, money, success and more

I did not have courage of the great king Solomon

Only asking for to know right from wrong

The more the waves of the sea churned

 The emptiness in my soul burned

Finally left on the waves without an oar 

Needing desperately to get back to shore

It was You I was looking for

The Light, the Answer

You guided me to open the shell, to find the jewel

My soul now enlightened I opened it, no longer the fool

Where can I find more of this truth I pondered

No longer the youth who aimlessly wandered

I found Him who loves me so

Who never left me despite me thinking so

He who guides me even when I veer astray

He who takes my hand leading me through the fray

He is treasure in the field

His love boundless without yield

The treasure in the chest, the fish in the net

His being is forever set

How Much Longer?

WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

The children of Israel complained as they wandered through the desert led by Aaron and Moses that they would have been better off dying in Egypt than in the Although the seed had been planted in the form of their liberation from the Pharaoh, they were still not content. They were very much like the seed that had sprung up, but was scorched by the sun (in their case literally). We too wander much like the people of Israel through our own personal deserts and the deserts of our culture.  We are replenished at times with joy in the form of food and pleasure that seems short lived.  We may suffer from personal tragedies, health issues, relationships that seem to have sour." How much longer will I have to put up with this issue, sickness, or person,"  we cry out. We are those very children of Exodus as the seed of our faith becomes hardened and burned.

THE ROCKY SOIL

What prevents us from being the seed that takes root in the rich soil? Anyone that has garden extensively or farmed knows that prior to a crop being planted the soil must be cultivated, broken up, and amended. This is an annual ritual for those of us who garden. In the early Spring I begin taking out the soil from my vegetable beds and carting to the compost pile. I then take the composted soil which has been hopefully nurtured with plentiful rain water (yes this year it actually rained in Southern California) grass, fruit, and vegetable scraps and begin transferring it to the beds. Experience tells me that just using the soil that was in the beds from the previous year produces poor crops. Seeds planted in this soil will shoot up
but soon die as they lack the proper nutrients. This sudden burst of energy is similar to the seed of the faith that brings excitement and joy only to dwindle away with any type of hardship. It has not been nourished thus altogether disappears.

NURTURED SOIL                                             

Since sometimes the soil in my garden becomes dry over time and loses nutrients that compost can not always replace it becomes necessary to add organic soil amends. With this material the crop when planted receives the sustenance needed to become a healthy plant. I haven't asked my plants lately about how they feel about this, but if I were to compare it to my life or even that of people of Israel I can find that they too needed signs from God such as quail and the manna that populated the ground after they complained about the lack of food. For that matter my spiritual life is dependent on receiving communion and attending Mass as much as possible. Although my faith wavers at times and the constant question arises how much longer must this go on, God never abandons me.

LETTING GOD NOURISH US

Much like the plant that is nourished by the proper amount of water, compost, fertilizer (for my plants only organic) and tender care, we becomes givers of life.  It is no longer a complaint of how much longer when things are rough and life doesn't conform to our personal desires, but finding God in these challenges. Prayer, prayer, and more prayer and the will to surrender our desires to control things allow for life giving actions. Not conforming to the natural ability to complain, but to allow life to flow from God one becomes much like my favorite tomato plant below. This plant  was a volunteer, but with all of above components it has been giving for four months. I allowed it to come up through the soil, excited for what it might be and have not been let down as it has been producing for four months and I in turn have been lavishing my neighbors with the crop. 

The plentiful grape tomato plant nourished by compost and amended soil

Hurry Up and Slow Down

WHAT TO DO?

So it has been six days since I had neck surgery and I am finding being restricted  quite a challenge.  I would like this recovery process to fast forward so that I can get on with my life, my teaching, my goals as a cyclist, my dreams. You see I like to live life at a fast pace occupying myself with something each second of the day.  I always start my day with morning prayer and meditation followed by scripture reading. But at times I just want to rush through that as well.  Matthew 11:28 makes the theme of rest quite clear as Jesus states, "Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."

VOIDS AND GOALS

I don't like think of myself as burdened, but upon reflection I find that I am my own biggest burden with my worries, preoccupations about the future and the future of my children and of the world in general.  Perhaps this is a time of spiritual renewal and I need to conform as there is plenty of time in my day now that is spent just sitting quietly outside and not thinking about anything. Perhaps I am also being asked to look long term at my own life goals as in three to four years I will be retiring from a lifetime of teaching middle school. What voids need to be filled? I would like to think that I have all this figured out, but I know otherwise. God is in control.

God is in control of my health, my liberty, my all. Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O Lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and Thy grace, for this is sufficient for me. A difficult prayer, but having used a similar prayer over the years, I find it easier to pray. 

THE CHALLENGE

Slowing down is a challenge for me. I want to complete everything on time and too perfection. I have read from numerous bloggers and people who post on surgical recovery forums to really take recovery seriously. Slow down, strictly follow doctors orders, don't do anything crazy. My friends tell me the same. I have been blessed with relatively good health over the last 33 years teaching to the point that I have accumulated plenty of sick days while I am off  from teaching. Still the desire to perform to perfection infiltrates my being as I am constantly devising plans so that I will be in contact with my students every day via video.  Yet in Mark 6:31 Jesus commands his disciples "Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest." Ah the word rest. Is this is what I am being told to do? What about my 10000 steps that I want reach every day? After all the doctor was clear about not being sedentary and then she remembered, "Oh yes you are the endurance cyclist." I promised her I would be active not staying seated for more than an hour.  

So what does God want with me during this time? Maybe more time in prayer. Maybe the Rosary which is something I have intentionally avoided for years as I worry about how much time I will spend. Yes there I go again. I am on this earth for a relatively short amount of time and I try to plan every living moment. For the next seven weeks I hope to find something to fill this void besides the daily plans that I will have to submit and work that I will eventually have to correct. Oh the joys of the digital age; work even follows you home when you are recovering.  I do have a few books to read,  Jennifer Fulwiler's Our Father and Gerard Hughes' God, Where Are You? I still have plenty of tomatoes to pick and blocks to walk.  But more importantly I have the time that God has provided for me, for what purpose that is to be determined. 

Pulling Weeds

Those pesky garden weeds in my garden

PULLING WEEDS

Having a vegetable garden I am familiar with the concept of pulling weeds. Sometimes you just have to let them grow along side the crop because yanking them out may also dislodge the plant from the ground.  In the parable today, the master decides to allow the crop and weeds to subsist until it is harvest time. Then the two can be separated.

I think that the same can be said for some of our sins. Some of them persist habitually while we are nurtured with the water of life, Jesus Christ. It is not easy to get rid of the grievous parts of our being especially if they are well rooted. Some of these faults one would rather cling to instead of eradicating it. They are too convenient to gravitate to when in need of escape from reality or facing up to a challenging situation.  If the good Lord would suddenly take away all our faults I could only imagine we might be left bare with nothing to grasp on to. What would I do if resentment were taken away, or if "justified anger" were removed. The weeds along with plant would be completely uprooted.

  MUSTARD SEEDS

We then must have just a little bit of faith, perhaps a mustard seed's worth that will allow us to move forward. Planting that seed in one's heart can be the beginning of rewarding faith-filled life. Maybe it begins with dedicated prayer time or attending daily Mass. Or those dusty pages of Bible are opened up in order to follow along with daily readings. Each spiritual movement is allowing the plant to grow more healthy and bear fruit - the fruit of life.

WEEDS ARE OK

Over time the weeds no longer seem to prevail along side of the plant. They may dry up or even go to seed. Some may even altogether disappear, not to resurrected again. Others may reappear seasonally, but not be ever present. Thus that seed that once seemed so small has taken root and not allowed the worries and sin to prevail. The fruit or flowers may be gathered at harvest time for the benefit of others. So it is tolerable to have a few weeds around. After all we are still human.

Messages of Hope and Messages of Grace: The Power of Scripture during Crisis and Doubt

Fellow Catholic blogger Allison Gingras recently posted a inspirational piece on dealing with anxiety and worry.  As a person who has recently had to deal with more than my usual share of this over the last seven months and particularly the last month I became increasingly aware of God speaking to me through Scripture this past week.  This is not a lament on my sufferings but the opposite, being provided with the grace to find God in all things. So I decided to document my past week as it was reflection on the trials that some of us face and yet are able to survive through the infinite grace of God. Yes God does speak, but necessarily through voice, but His words.

Monday July 10

Fast approaching a week that would involve having a pre-operational check -up, follow up dental work for crowns that needed to be put in before surgery (both crowns were a result of two emergency root canals) and an MRI for persistent lower back problems, along with the usual daily challenges I found solace in Psalm 91 response for Mass, In you, My God, I place my Trust. Oh how reassuring as I assessed the week ahead of me.  

In the Gospel Jesus cures the woman had suffered from hemorrhages for twelve years who only touches his cloak. His response to her action is "Courage daughter! Your faith has saved you." He then proceeds to  cure the officials daughter despite skeptics who saw his action as ridiculous. The woman is of particular interest to me as she approaches Jesus knowing of his ability to heal, but not willing to ask, but only touch him. Perhaps this because of shame. This makes me wonder about approaching God in prayer for what seemingly can be insignificant requests. The very fact that I can have faith should be enough, but isn't always the case.  

Message to me the believer who is sometimes doubtful of the power of the Risen Christ, "Have faith!"

Tuesday July 11

Busy day. First to the Pre-op appointment. During this time I find out that there was miscommunication with my primary care doctors, the surgeon's office and my cardiologist in regards to the paperwork that should have forwarded. Somehow there was miscommunication but it works out.  "Though you test me heart, searching it in the night, though you try me with fire, you shall find not malice in me." (Psalm 17).  I find out that all my vitals are well. 

Onward to an MRI for my lower back which has had given me all sorts of problems from tingling sensations in the leg to outright weakness. As I see it another test. For those of who have never had an MRI for the back or neck, it means at least 20-40 minutes inside a tube. I have some trepidation about the outcome of the results, but I spend time inside the tube praying. I have had six MRI's at this facility that the technician and myself actually know each other now and it is reassuring that he is a man of faith. 

Once again a passage from Psalm 17, I will call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline you ear to me; hear my word. In Matthew Jesus goes around curing every disease and illness.  There is a peaceful reassurance that all will be well. At the same time he tells his disciples. The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. Here I see that I am being asked to be a message of hope and not dwell on what seems to be attacks on my well being and soul. 

Wednesday July 12

I start my everyday with morning prayer and meditation. Reading from the Magnificat I encounter Psalm 59, Rescue me, God from my foes;  and later on O my Strength, it is you to whom I turn.  On the same page from 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No trial has come to but was is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength." Oh how I will need this today. 

I am hit with a sudden bout of a urinary issue that sends me on  roundtrips to the bathroom for three hours. Confused by this as I underwent a battery of tests at the hospital the previous week for my upcoming surgery, I begin to question what God is doing to me. When will this stop? My body seems to be in some type of warfare with itself.  With this brings on anxiety and worry.  The only relief I find is in prayer entrusting my will, my health to God, letting him drive this broken vehicle.  Through all of this I also find peace in the Ignatian Suscipe prayer.  Lots and lots of prayer get me through this day. 

Thursday July 13

Ah yes the dentist. Today more tests and trials. Being that I am having surgery it was necessary to have all dental work done ahead of time since I will not be able to have any work done for at least  two months. So I venture to the endodontist to be examined for the root canals that were performed two weeks ago to make sure that there are no complications. I find that once there I was scheduled for the next week. I know that I was scheduled for this day, because the next week I am prepping for surgery. More time for surrender. No particular passage from today's Mass resonates, but only to place my trust in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. My crowns are successfully put in and off I go hopefully without any complications since I have a persistent infection that will not go away and might need further treatment. 

Friday July 14

"Trust in the Lord and do good" Psalm 37. More trials as my body goes through another round of issues causing me to eventually visit the local urgent care.  I was discharged without diagnosis. In the process I find that I have lost 3 pounds in three days. Somewhat scary for a person who eats well. I also find myself under spiritual attack as the temptation to entertain evil thoughts seems to be ever present.  Once again I find solace in Psalm 37, "The Salvation of the just is from the Lord; his their refuge in time of distress.  I somehow make it through the day shaken, but grateful for the fact that I have the tool of prayer and Scripture. I can also find the small things that bring peace such as sitting outside and enjoying the doves serenading, the birds tweeting, and the gentle breeze that seems to arise as I sit still on the deck. 

Lessons taken from this week

Each and every trial is a chance to surrender unconditionally to God. It is a chance to turn what is seemingly bad to something good by drawing on the fact that I am so powerless over everything including my own body. Saturday's Gospel message reassures me that I need not be afraid for I am worth more than many sparrows. Turning to my heavenly Father in these times brings me every so closer. I know what lies ahead of me as I go into surgery this upcoming week, other than I am taken care of. Keep me in your prayers.

Without Cost You Received

Applying Jesus Instructions

Jesus instructs the Apostles to cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons in Matthew's Gospel reading today (MT 10:7).  All this can be applied in context to the time period in which he spoke, but for us the same message applies. Curing the sick for me is interpreted as tending to those who are either sick physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Raising the dead for me is being aware of those who may be spiritually sick and are in need of guidance and direction. Cleansing lepers and driving out demons can be as simple as praying for those in need.  All this said I found that what was most pronounced in the passage is the Jesus statement, "Without cost your received; without cost you are to give."

I forget daily that my own life is a gift as well as those around me. I did nothing to pay for my life nor did I receive advances for any skills or good work I might do.  For one who has been blessed with many skills in my profession it is easy for me to take all of this for granted. I have been generously blessed with a well paying job as well as job security Even so I still at times want to be recognized for my good work not necessarily financially but with praise. The idea of receiving my life as a gift escapes me in these moments.

So this leads me to the next part of the equation; without cost your are to give. Jesus puts everything in perspective as he prepares the Apostles for their mission.  Don't expect anything for the good deeds that you might perform. Do your deeds and gratefully move on knowing that you are guided by the Spirit. Quite difficult in a culture that seems to be headed in a direction of entitlement. It seems that many have the sense that they must be rewarded for just being themselves and that society as a whole owes them something.

 Finding Silence

Over the last few days I have been engaged in a sort of mini-retreat listening to podcasts from the Jesuits of Great Britain.  The various pieces use the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins to guide the listener to find the beauty of his words along with encountering God's amazing creations around us. This to me is benefit of taking on such an exercise. It allows me to view much of what I can take for granted as a gift as well as comprehending the fact that I am clearly receiving without a cost.  At the end of each session the Suscipe is recited bringing to close this quiet and reflective time. Without a cost you received.

Suscipe 

St Ignatius of Loyola

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,

my memory, my understanding,

and my entire will,

All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.

To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.

Give me only your love and your grace,

that is enough for me.

Top of the Morning with Mourning Doves

DAILY CHALLENGES AND DOVES

I have been reading a lot about Ignatian Spirituality lately and feel drawn to the concept of finding God in everything throughout the day. Over the past month I have faced many challenges as my health which eight months ago I would have classified as excellent as seemingly gone south. However this is not a lament about my condition and challenges, but a look into finding God in all things.

Over the last week a couple of mourning doves have frequented our backyard and danced their love ballad in the magnolia tree next door. I wake up to the male's song every morning as I keep my window open nightly to cool off the heat that accumulates in the house during the day.

DOVES AND THE BIBLE

From what I have researched the mourning dove's song is one of lament (1). The coo, coo, coo, sound evoked from the male as he puffs up his chest is a welcome to the new day for me.   Now I know that some people find the doves song annoying as they struggle to get that extra hour of sleep, I find it as a chance to rest in the moment. The love birds continue their courtship in the afternoon on the utility wires and sometimes around my tomato plants as they rummage the ground for food. These moments allow me to focus not on my problems but on the scale of God's creations both large and small.

Symbolically the dove plays an integral role in the Bible. Peace, gentleness and hope are common themes. For myself during these particularly challenging times, I am drawn to the message of hope. No matter what discomfort I may have I find myself resting in the peace of the moment and the short song sang by the now resident male dove musician.

Being every inquisitive I did some more research on the history of doves in biblical texts. I stumbled upon a fascinating article The Enduring Symbolism of Doves: From ancient icon to Biblical Mainstay found on the Biblical Archaeology Society's website. Apparently doves are not only found in various texts but also accompanying humans in iconographic works of art. Doves are also found on coins as well. Perhaps the one of the most popular reference to the bird lies in the book of Genesis as Noah sends out the dove to find land and the bird returns on the third attempt with an olive branch in its mouth. Of equal importance in the New Testament is the imagery of Holy Spirit descending on Jesus as he is baptized by John in the River Jordan. There are many more references to doves from the birds being brought to the temple as a sacrifice to Jesus driving out those who sold doves in the temple. All that being said, next time you hear or see a dove think of the symbolic nature of this beautiful bird as it coos its love song to its mate.

Sending Jesus Away

Markus Dallarosa [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

BEING SENT OFF

Being a soccer fan I am quite familiar with the red card. It means that a player is being sent off the pitch and out of the game for a foul or behavior that is not conducive to the game. In the daily game of life I have to take a look at whether I am serving as the referee and sending Jesus away not for  a foul, but asking me to do something seemingly radical such as love a person who is difficult or embrace a challenging moment.  At some in one's spiritual journey the realization that the presence of Jesus can be ignored or cast out much like the villagers of Gadarenes in today's Gospel becomes real.  Think of the course of day when you become so immersed in work, worry, or other world obsessions that although someone may be calling on you for a minute of your time or even just a small amount of needed attention, how do you react?  Are you like the referee pulling the card and expelling the person from the game?

WHY DID THE DEMONIACS RECOGNIZE THE POWER OF JESUS?

The Gospel story today demonstrates a couple of interesting points. Most people are familiar with the demoniacs being sent into the swine who then plunge into sea and drown. However the fact that the demoniacs recognized Jesus as the Son of God presents an interesting question. Why is it that possessed person recognized the Jesus as such and were aware of this power? Could it be that people seemingly afflicted are aware of the awesome power of God and those in the mainstream of life are not? Since I am not an expert on such a topic, but am aware of the power of recovery programs as well as those that have overcome serious illness I think there is something to be found here.

BEING LIKE A VILLAGER

Looking at the response of the villagers who want nothing to do with Jesus is another story. It is quite easy to become comfortable with life and not any to recognize the power of God in daily events, nor even acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit and the infinite mercy and love that is showered upon us. Having Jesus present in our life means a radical change in how we interact with others, how we view the world around us. It is easier to avoid this than it is to make the change.  This can be said about our vices as well. To give up these things that are a constant thorn in our side and lead us down a slippery road means taking up the cross to recognize the negative power they have in our life. These vices aren't hurting anyone or I can give it up without any problem is a common reaction to those trying to assess the impact of a harmful habit such as overeating, drinking, drug use and the like.  Even seemingly benign habits such as binge watching favorite TV series and video gaming are very much a form of escapism. Send Jesus someplace else as I have not time for him nor religion is quite evident in our society today.

"I would rather die than give up this habit" or as the demoniac said, "send us into the swine." This seems to be the easy way out. Jesus provides for a way out as long as are willing to take up the cross and follow him through the narrow gate. The cross of our burdens, sins, and difficulties can just as easily abandoned to the wider road of excuses and general apathy when it comes to hearing the call. Moreover, it can be just as easy to be like the villagers in sending Jesus away when it comes to difficult topics dealing with our faith.  It doesn't take long for me to realize that I am indeed one of the villagers when addressing the preservation of life along with those Church teachings that people find out of date and not conforming with today's society.  Notice that not a single person asks Jesus to stay.  Apparently they were quite comfortable with their current life and most likely having heard from the shepherds about Jesus power would mean a radical change.

TAKING JESUS FOR GRANTED

Jesus at this point in his ministry was being questioned as he exhibited power not seen before in the area and yet there were many who were not ready to accept who he was. Who is this man who can calm seas, cure the sick, and read the thoughts of skeptics? I don't need much convincing for the most part. It is clear that he is clearly the Son of God and that with him anything is possible. What I need to wary of is dismissing him and his love for me a perennial sinner. I don't need a red card or even a yellow card, I can just as easily toss him aside as I become preoccupied with my problems and the world around me or I can embrace my need for him in every situation and let him guide me along my journey. 

The Doubting Thomas within Me

Sacred Stones, New Clairvaux

 © Frank Schulenburg / , via Wikimedia Commons

DOUBTING THOMAS

Doubting Thomas he was called. He had to physically touch the wounds of Christ before he would believe, but once he took this action he proclaimed what no other had said, "My Lord and my God!" Thus he acknowledged the first two persons of the Trinity.  I am reminded of this as I reflected on a homily given by Abbot Thomas Davis at the New Clairvaux Monastery some forty years ago. I can explain the details of the homily other than Abbot Thomas spoke of briefly of the history of his journey and that of Saint Thomas. My Lord and my God! Do I have doubts about the Trinity?  For sure.

WHERE IS THE PROOF?

I am one of those who would like to see proof of anything before I belief it.  As a history teacher I instruct my students to prove any historical statement with reliable evidence especially in this day and age. Would I have been like Thomas? Most definitely. 

So my dilemma becomes having proof of the existence of the risen Christ and for that matter God and the Holy Spirit. I hearken back to Matthew's Gospel reading from Saturday in which the centurion who was bestowed with authoritative power comes to Jesus to ask that he might heal his sick servant. The centurion in a moment of true faith asks that Jesus only say the word and his servant will be healed. What more proof might one need about the power of Jesus?

My life journey has taking me through some profound levels of darkness of which I only acknowledged the existence of the name of God and Jesus. Feeling unworthy I never thought that the power of God could cure a sinner like myself. Where was my Lord and God? Certainly not working in a broken person as myself. Doubt prevailed. Much of what I saw in the world around me was depressing and tragic. Little hope of a better world existed. If Jesus truly existed I wanted to see him or at least some miracle so that I could believe.

Many years later I can reflect on those dark moments and see the presence of God mercy. The realization that Jesus did indeed die for my sins and brokenness and through  infinite mercy accepted me and guides me even as I veered off path, a seemingly path of no return. Why and how I am hard pressed to explain.

STILL DOUBTING

I still have doubts or better said fears. I find myself saying many times, "I believe, help with my unbelief," as I reflect on my own personal trials and sufferings along with those close to me. More problematic is viewing the worldly violence, poverty, and downright meanness. This is all the more evident with the current state of affairs in our own nation as we approach the July 4th holiday. I harbor doubts that there is can be healing among such disparate groups. But sometimes it is within the brokenness that unity can be found.

Finally I must acknowledge that even as I attend Mass doubts arise as the priest recites the Eucharistic Prayer saying "Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you: by the same Spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration, that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate these mysteries." Can this really become the Body and Blood of our Lord?  I believe, help me in my unbelief.

A Cup of Water

The theme of charity is made quite clear in today's reading both in Kings and in Matthew's Gospel. The childless woman who serves Elisha is promised a baby in the upcoming year and Jesus makes three separate statements about charity in referencing those who receive him, those who receive a prophet and those who receive a righteous man. His final statement is in reference to the little ones and providing a cup of cold water.

True charity comes from a heart infected with the love of God. It cannot come from a cold distant look and avoidance of what is in front of us. Charity is not natural for many. It is easy to click and send giving to a favorite organization with out much thought as it is to field a call from a university which has served one or a family well.

For many years I was a cold hearted individual not realizing my own brokenness nor seeing those on the fringes of society. Through a variety of life changes, God's infinite mercy, and much prayer I came to see that the cup of water offered to the little ones was more than just children, it is meant also for those weak from other afflictions. The significance of cold water is more than a refreshing drink, it can be helping hand or a glance into the eyes of one of those afflicted and on the margins.

A Refreshing Cup

You saw me on the street broken and cold

Your eyes avoided me, torn clothes so old

A retreat from my brokenness did you consider

My cart full of what most would consider litter

A quick glance up from you is all that I want

As day in and day out I receive many a taunt

I am at many a corner with the battered sign

Pleading for money, food, work, anything would be fine

The cars pass by me daily with nary a look

I am broken they see, but this is only the cover of the book

Sometimes a dollar is given, sometimes less

Are you ashamed of what you possess?

Jesus said give to these little ones a cup 

I am one of those just looking to get up

A helping hand extended, a kind look, a blessing if you may

Anyone one of these and you made my day

© 2017 Chris Miraglia