My Dad and I attended a funeral today for my mom's second cousin. She was 94. She was quite an accomplished woman for her time, or any time for that matter. She was Ph.D. professor in nursing but dabbled in loads of other things. She was a caring and compassionate person showing love to the people and animals in need, and held a deep appreciation of nature. Poetry was one of her passions. Her last published book was in 2007 when she was 88 years old! One of her pieces, January Miracles, was printed on the back of the bulletin. I thought it was lovely and wanted to post it. Maybe it will brighten a January day for someone here.
January Miracles
As I prune my trees each winter, I love to bring into the library some barren branches from my frozen garden. The stems are pounded, placed into warm water and soon brilliant yellow forsythia and soft pink and white fruit tree blossoms splash into view.
As I reflect upon this wondrous miracle of life which defies the barren coldness outside my window, I'm reminded that I should put on my spiritual overcoat and check my ego carefully for aspects needing rejuvenation. I would do well to trim away all withered thoughts of disbelief and doubting ? examine the scraggly bush of fear and anxiety by refurbishing my faith. If apparently dead, I should cut into the boughs of prayer and immediately add faint green hope to the prayer chain. I should prune insecurity from the evergreens; add appreciation, joy, and forgiveness to give depth to the mass arrangement.
By tending each area of spiritual consciousness carefully, I can bring larger, stronger branches into my spiritual kitchen. I can repair each bouquet with prayer and release and place deeply into the vase of restoring waters of God's love. Then I can relax and trust, watch for unique qualities and answers which will soon unfold, then burst into bloom. I can then display the blossoms proudly and share generously to spice up tired January souls.
Doris Schoel
Author
Topic: From the heart (Read 98860 times)