There for me.

I have learned to turn to you, Lord.

When a storm rises, there is shelter to be found if only I will use it.

When I have worry, there is relief if only I will seek it.

When I lack, there are resources close at hand if only I will recognize them.

❖

You are always near, Lord. Let me remember this even under conditions of forgetting.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I remember, even under pressure, that you are always with me?

Reading:

God does not change, but our awareness of His presence does.” — Brother Lawrence

❖

“Storms make the oak grow deeper roots.” — George Herbert

❖

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1 (KJV)

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Is there only one?

The sea is made up of river after river, flowing into it from all quarters.

This river by the village itself has many sources, mountain streams that trickle together and join

I wonder why my day is as it is, why this or that happens. I walk out into the field with a light heart — what made my mood so buoyant?

❖

Must there be one answer?

Lord, let me accept the day and world as it is.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Must I seek an answer?

Reading:

“The river is everywhere at once, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and in the mountains.” — Hermann Hesse

❖

“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.” — Matsuo Bashō

❖

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

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You must be here.

I need not call out to you.

I need not set out to find you.

I need not hope for rescue.

❖

You are already here with me, Lord.

You were already here.

Breathing. If I am breathing, you must be here.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I feel my each breath?

Reading:

“God is closer to us than our own soul, for He is the ground in whom our soul stands.” — Julian of Norwich

❖

“Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.” — Alfred, Lord Tennyson

❖

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:8 (KJV)

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What is its opposite? (Sunday Letter)

I have been thinking about love, and its opposite.

Love is not set against hate, still a form of passion. They who hate, turn toward — even if with violence.

Love’s true opposite is colder. It turns away.

❖

Snow may fall overnight, bringing a heavy weight. Come morning, branches are bent but not broken. The burden presses down. Birds still crowd the feeder.

Even a storm cannot disguise the shape of the tree.

Imagine instead if the tree were left in drought, unnoticed. Not storm-bent but hollow, gone brittle, forgotten.

Dead.

❖

Indifference erodes. Not by passion’s fire but by nothing.

Love turns toward.

To love is to say: I see. I hear.

❖

I will not turn away.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Where am I too indifferent?

Reading:

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” — Elie Wiesel

❖

“To ignore is to deny the soul its light.” — Rumi

❖

“For thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” — Psalm 9:10 (KJV)

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