he appears on the road to the fields of wheat, the emmaus road in the white of my eye and the slap of runner's shoe
he appears just as i'm wondering if what i believe is true, for sometimes i have this: the knowing he is as close as my son's shreddies-breath, and then the falling, of my laundered life into wrinkled heap of "why have you forsaken me?"
and these are the prayers of poverty-spirit: to pin laundry onto line and hope someone else puts it away
and i'm running. i become nothing but a sideways glance beneath expanse of world, and i can hear his voice, having gotten out of the way
and he appears and pulls me tight, and shows me the earth, holds hand high, as if to strike it against the globe, asks, "do you want me to spend the world on you? for i will."
and i'm the sheep gone missing and he's willing to leave all, in extravagant waste, to prove himself love
aiden breathes shreddies and kisses me drooly and i whisper, "i'd spend it all on you, son" and my laundry is strung on the line and now, blowing away, and i don't miss it
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46 comments:
wow. you are really slamming these out lately, I've been so enjoying your posts. I am thinking a lot of late about poverty of spirit. And, my clothes are literally still on the line.
Dear Emily,
Thank you for your pictures, for your moments. I'm at a phase right now where my mind understands little and I need to trust my heart to understand, and your words and your pictures and your stories are helping me to do that. Thanks for this picture of love.
wondering if what I believe is true--seems to be my theme song these days. Your words and paintings say yes and amen, they are true.
I see myself and His love in your words. Thank you.
emily...you are such an amazing writer...for rey is blowalz...the laundring away and i dont care...nah i would not either...and all for one...its a good kinda love...
such a painting with paint and word .. you teach me so much
Your art inspires me creatively, and your words spiritually. Iron sharping iron. Thank you. Press on, sister.
Such extravagant love. Perhaps that is what makes it so difficult to abandon ourselves to it. We can hardly imagine a love like that for us - so flawed and failing.
But to look into the faces of those we hold so dear - understanding of such love comes clear.
Thank you for this Em. I needed to be reminded.
P.S. Perhaps you should put all of these magnificent posts into a little book. I would treasure such a book.
i needed to hear this today, thank you. your words speak to me, empty and weary, and i am beginning to feel peace.
Emily your beautiful humility is glorious to me. You inspire my heart! :-)
you speak the words of my life, of wondering if what i believe is true, of alternating between belief and despair. thank you. as always, much love and hugs to you, dear one!
I seem to spend a lot of my time getting out of the way.
I'm feeling breathless by the beauty of what you've written Emily.
On the other matter you wrote to me about earlier today...I should have some time next week to write to you about it.
gentle steps tender soul
gorgeous, emily. leaves me breathless. the imagery is divine.
I'd spend it all on you...
It's ringing in my ears.
the picture of the freshly laundered life falling crumpled in a cry of "why have you forsaken me?" really speaks true for me. what a beautiful yet honest look at a poor spirit. Thank God that He promises the Kingdom of Heaven to the poor in Spirit. love your truth speaking a beauty making! thank you!
"and i'm the sheep gone missing and he's willing to leave all, in extravagant waste, to prove himself love"
What can I possible add to that!
keeping what's important first ... you do it so well
oh, em...
that is the shepherd i know, too...
i am your sister sheep.
I really love this painting. Really, truly. Thank you for sharing yourself with us here.
Oh, Emily. These images. These words. I am hushed.
"and i can hear his voice, having gotten out of the way"
Amen, love.
you do pierce a soul.
you do.
good night hug , sweet em.
Your words take my breath away, over and over again. Beautiful, transparent...brilliant. Like Him! :)
You are lovely. My, my, my ...
Yes. I scream those words frequently. Still trying to figure it out...not very successfully. As always, beautiful poetry. :)
thank you. your imperfect prose was perfect tonight, for I am feeling like a lost lamb, who has faith that he will come for me...
Hi emily,
Thought I'd give this form of writing a try. Not sure if I succeeded or not.
Enjoyed your post and thinking about where my focus really needs to be and what can be left behind.
Enjoyed some of the other writers as well.
Blessings,
Janis
P.S. Couldn't get the button code, but then I am not techy savvy
Words always so powerful from your heart.
Just reading "I am the Good Shepherd" in John this week, and this is a lovely echo of that. Thank you, Emily!
thanks for inviting me imperfect prose thursdays! what a great idea... and this is my first thursday participating :)
& you reminded me i now have to hang the clothes up to dry... xoxo
...beautiful...
xo
echong as Jill took the words:
...beautiful...
xo
Emily, I admire the path your going! And wish you love, light and peace. Lots of them!
Em-
I don't know what to say, this is perhaps the most beautiful one you've written, and they're all so beautiful. Thank you for the way you minister to me, you will never know.
xo
In our own moments of love-poverty, we forget that though we are poor He is rich endlessly and will heap it all on us....if we can be still and allow Him.
Blessings my friend. Beautiful painting!
oh, souls sister (i'm going to presume as much, b/cs i have billowy white doubts as well, all pinned neat--or not)... you speak so to my heart. poverty of heart, of soul, of body. he loves us enough to breathe that life into us and we run--or not. sometimes all we can do is bask, adn even that can feel sacrilegious, eh?
"the knowing he is as close as my son's shreddies-breath" - this captured my attention. Each breath a reminder of His miracles and love and grace and how He continues to draw near and love us like He does.
All He had
all He Was
all He Is
still for us...
I am awed, humbled, awash in grace...
Lovely, these laundry moments, and the heart that loves both Father and son, in the same breath.
Also, what are shreddies? Cereal? Some strange Canadian concoction? ;)
I wish I'd read this before I so poorly phrased it - in a conversation last night -
"and i'm the sheep gone missing and he's willing to leave all, in extravagant waste, to prove himself love"
He did it - for one.
one.
1
Emily,
I love your heart and I think this community is so cool. Very encouraging and inspiring. Thank you for being a vessel, for using your gifts. You bless me.
Kit
Beautiful. Apparently I needed to hear this message today. This morning's devotional at work was on how God is jealous for us. It's all throughout Scripture; what a stunning idea, that He loves us that much.
Beautiful, as always Emily.
and these are the prayers of poverty-spirit: to pin laundry onto line and hope someone else puts it away.
What a great line...I know this isn't the total point of your piece, but I've often thought that most of us don't care for the widow/orphan/alien as we should because we are afraid of admitting our own poverty of spirit.
Thanks for your kind words on my blog. They always encourage me.
Also, wanted to let you know, that I'm starting a linky-type-thing on Fridays called: If you have the time: short story share...but you can share essays, too. You can see my blog for details if you are interested, or point it to others who think might be. Thanks!
I just discovered your site via another writer's bog, and I'm sitting here, wrapped in the most wonderful sensation of love, compassion, wonderment and joy. I will be back often to read, refresh and breathe in...
Your battle with brain cancer resonates with my own family story. I hold you and your family in my prayers/conversations with my healing and life-source. Great site. What a beautiful way to celebrate today.
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