Years ago, I
attended a weeklong nightly retreat given by a Franciscan priest from
California named Fr. Rusty. At one of the sessions he asked us
to close our eyes and pretend that each of us was a child again and
to picture that we were with Jesus. I remember that I pictured
myself sitting on Jesus' lap talking to him. It was so soothing
to gaze into his warm eyes and see his gentle smile. I wasn't
the least afraid.
Then Fr. Rusty had us continue to keep our eyes closed, but now to think of meeting Jesus as an adult. I imagined that I was walking down a beach at the ocean's edge all alone. I looked up to see Jesus coming toward me. At first I hesitated, but then I ran into his arms and unburdened all that had been weighing me down. He looked at me with the same warm eyes and gentle smile and told me I was forgiven. When Fr. Rusty told us to open our eyes, I had tears streaming down my cheeks. It all seemed so real. It is the only time I have had an experience like this. It was quite extraordinary. Since then, I do try to talk to Jesus directly. I know he listens to me and to each of us.
My pastor, Fr. Austin Fleming, blogs at ConcordPastor.blogspot.com He writes an original prayer or poem almost every day. I wanted to share with you one of his recent offerings. I hope you will find it as beautiful and peaceful as I did.
Slow me down, Lord...
Sit me down
and sit right by my side
until I've settled down inside
and begun to find the peace I need,
the peace that only you can give...
Temper me, Lord, with autumn days:
this season in between the seasons
of summer's heat and winter's ice...
Temper me with days sublime:
the sun's warmth upon my face
while cool breezes brush my cheek,
waking me to all the ways
you touch my life, my heart...
Temper me that I might find your beauty
in the loss of green, the letting go of leaves aflutter,
spiraling down to sleep the winter months
'neath snowy blankets, layered lovingly by you...
Temper me this fall for winter's journey, Lord,
until in spring you warm the earth again
and waken to new life the green
that brings new hope to earth
and to my soul...
Temper me this fall, Lord,
ready me for what in winter waits:
cover me in layers of your grace,
protecting and preparing me
for seasons and for gifts I don't yet know...
And for now, Lord,
slow me down, sit me down
and sit right by my side
until I've settled down inside
and begun to find the peace I need,
the peace that only you can give...
Amen.
Then Fr. Rusty had us continue to keep our eyes closed, but now to think of meeting Jesus as an adult. I imagined that I was walking down a beach at the ocean's edge all alone. I looked up to see Jesus coming toward me. At first I hesitated, but then I ran into his arms and unburdened all that had been weighing me down. He looked at me with the same warm eyes and gentle smile and told me I was forgiven. When Fr. Rusty told us to open our eyes, I had tears streaming down my cheeks. It all seemed so real. It is the only time I have had an experience like this. It was quite extraordinary. Since then, I do try to talk to Jesus directly. I know he listens to me and to each of us.
My pastor, Fr. Austin Fleming, blogs at ConcordPastor.blogspot.com He writes an original prayer or poem almost every day. I wanted to share with you one of his recent offerings. I hope you will find it as beautiful and peaceful as I did.
Slow me down, Lord...
Sit me down
and sit right by my side
until I've settled down inside
and begun to find the peace I need,
the peace that only you can give...
Temper me, Lord, with autumn days:
this season in between the seasons
of summer's heat and winter's ice...
Temper me with days sublime:
the sun's warmth upon my face
while cool breezes brush my cheek,
waking me to all the ways
you touch my life, my heart...
Temper me that I might find your beauty
in the loss of green, the letting go of leaves aflutter,
spiraling down to sleep the winter months
'neath snowy blankets, layered lovingly by you...
Temper me this fall for winter's journey, Lord,
until in spring you warm the earth again
and waken to new life the green
that brings new hope to earth
and to my soul...
Temper me this fall, Lord,
ready me for what in winter waits:
cover me in layers of your grace,
protecting and preparing me
for seasons and for gifts I don't yet know...
And for now, Lord,
slow me down, sit me down
and sit right by my side
until I've settled down inside
and begun to find the peace I need,
the peace that only you can give...
Amen.
Rosemary
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