Under All The Weight
Fresh fluffy snow fell, crystal upon crystal layered height
I recalled a story I heard of the weight of a single flake
that when joined with others formed a heavy blanket of peace
Invitation opened, I unconsciously slipped a glove from my hand
to catch a fleeting moment of the blankets warm security
Flakes landed softly in my palm but turned to moisture instantly
Peace this time was not the lesson so it had to be the weight
Seconds turned to minutes as my hands heat could not keep up
Crystals began to gather, yet I still had no sense of any heft
I saw this time it was a metaphor, time to let my soul go free
Like many times before needing my permission for its flight
it kept my hand out to catch and drift in my unworthiness
As crystals found home, the weight now known was anguish
My mind touched soul to ask in simplicity to feel more of this
The wish was granted as God let pleasure flow of this torment
I felt the weight of pain and sadness from all of our mistakes
I sensed it only a shadow of this misery, yet our optimist God
pushed aside our shame to share with us unrelenting happiness
At this thought, soul let go to rest again deep inside the dream
and I recalled His forgiveness perfectly despite the bulk of sin
On my hand a dusting, reminding me of where I’d been
I let it slide off to join below to the blanket being built
Its peace I will reflect on but now I see what I should do
A greater love cannot exist than this, a love I must live
Even under all the weight He only asks of us to be with Him
We all have (at least those that live where it snows) the urge out of nowhere to reach out and catch some snowflakes just for the joy of it. I was out taking care of the driveway when all of a sudden the snow started coming down like I have never seen before. I thought of a story published and used mostly by peace focused organizations about the weight of a snowflake and how when it combines with other flakes becomes far more than a single flake. But as sometimes happens it was simply an invitation to let God into my horizon.
I learned a lesson of the weight each of us has to deal with. Despite everything around us we must not be consumed by sin, sorrow, pain and anguish but rather seek out happiness both here and in future glory. To nail down the lesson I witnessed over 2 inches of snow had fallen in under an hour; sometimes we must face these overwhelming burdens by depending on Christ’s love to get us through.
For further reflection:
Psalm 51:6-19 (NSRVCE Bible)
You desire truth in the inward being;[a]
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right[b] spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing[c] spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
17 The sacrifice acceptable to God[d] is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
19 then you will delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Additional Thoughts about my Poetry
I believe my writing fits snugly into the category of grounded mystical Christian theology. I have studied, written, and spiritually and physically applied this practical concept in my life for nearly two decades. I have never seen or participated in what some might call a vision or phenomenon. However, I appreciate that they may be a reality for the person or group, and God has provided them with deep consolation. For me, consolation is the beginning of a two-way relationship with God.
My own experiences are more intellectual in nature because I lean toward engineering and science. The reality for me is that God is always present because we are his tabernacles. We constantly miss His surfacing of lighter than a feather touch because we are a physical people. We talk about opening our hearts to this love, but technically, our intellect gets in the way. I have been trying to prove this virtually every day for well over a decade by documenting what I believe are grounded mystical thoughts in various ways.
The tragedy of 9/11 was a significant transformative moment in my spiritual life because of a first hand experience. I am re-dedicating the thoughts and prayers associated with my Christian Poetry to all those affected.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these reflections of the contemplative material of this Web-based ministry? Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions:
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use Bible passages.
This website follows the guidelines for image web use at the website of the Brooklyn Museum, the Jewish Museum and this Immersive Prayer website.
Peace,
Jerry