Moses complained, “Look, God. You said, ‘Bring up this people’; but you haven’t told me who’s going to help pull this off. You said you’re on my side. Well, if you’re on my side, show me how this is going to work so I know you’re on my side.” God said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be with you, and give you rest.” But Moses acted like he didn’t even hear. “If you won’t go with us, then don’t make us go. How will we know you’re on our side if you don’t go with us?” And God said, “Moses. Chill. I will do what you want. I’m there for you.” Moses still said, “Show me.” God was quiet for a second.
                  —Exodus 33.12-18, sort of

God, show me the way.
         Don’t worry. I’m here.

Show me the proof.
         Don’t panic. I’ll be with you.

Show me the outcome.
         Don’t go there. I’m already with you.

How will I know?
         You won’t. I will.

I can’t see! I don’t know!
         Yes, that’s it.

         I am the dark side of the moon.
         There’s nothing to see.

         You don’t need to see tomorrow.
         You need to see today.

         I am the mother and you are the child
         in my womb. You don’t need to see.

         You don’t need to see.
         You just need me.

         You don’t need to see. Close your eyes.
         I am here.

―October 19, 2017

         (Tune: Gift of Love)

Beloved, I belong to you.
You give me birth; you make me new,
your image formed, by Spirit stirred.
You are the Song; I am your Word.

Whatever pains I may endure,
I still belong. Your love is sure.
Since I am yours, your will I do.
I trust and give myself to you.

I am your coin to richly spend,
so spend me, God, as you intend.
You bless my end; you hold my worth;
send me to love throughout the earth.

Beloved, I belong to you.
Do with me what your love will do.
Bear me, and I, through ease or strife
will find in you eternal life.

(Matthew 22.21)

   —October 18, 2017
 

I breathe beside the sea,
in and out.

The waves breathe in and out,
the tide, in and out.

The wind breathes,
in and out

under the sun breathing
in and out so slowly,

until it exhales
into the solar system,

until the universe breathes
in and out one last time,

though God keeps breathing
in and out

in me breathing
beside the sea.

—October 17, 2017

Google Groups is still shutting me out, so I’m changing to a new email system. In the meantime I have to add recipients to the list one at a time). Think about that.

God has not forgotten you,
lost track of you in this vast, cluttered universe,
lost interest with so many other people.

God is speaking to you,
in the most invisible whisper,
the faintest handwriting,

and sometimes, like a mother with a child inside her,
no message gets through,
nothing in the silence but God herself.
  

   —October 16, 2017

I pray for all those affected by storms, by fires, by civil unrest, and by so many private calamities.

Hurricane roars over the horizon
and they grab the most beloved things,
pack everything into the car,
one last trip through the house,
and they’re gone.

Soldiers enter the village, ravaging,
and the family leaves by the other road,
belongings in bundles on their heads.

Fire marches down the hill
with total disregard,
the eaves catch,
smoke drinks each room,
they reach for the treasures
and they’re out.

The world’s house
is always on fire,
God clearing out
with you under her arm.

– October 13, 20017

Let these words of Paul guide you today:

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing the things
you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
and the God of peace will be with you.
                  — Philippians 4.8-9

—October 12, 2017

For those who subscribe to Unfolding Light by email I have used Google Groups for a long time. But since Oct. 3 Google Groups has failed to accept my messages. I can write to people only one at a time. (There are 2,716 of you.) I guess some algorithm thinks my writing is junk. And apparently it doesn’t think I’m going to improve: the failure seems to be permanent.

Until I get Google Groups fixed, or move to another platform, I can’t distribute. I’m only here on this website and on Facebook. If you subscribe to receive these by email I’ll add you to my list; you just won’t start receiving messages right away.

I’ve spent hours trying to figure out the Google Groups failure (instead of writing). There’s no reason, no explanation, no fix, and no help. An opaque puzzle. A box that can’t be opened. It’s been frustrating. I’ve learned a lot. Mostly about patience.

God help me to find you in silence,
to embrace you in mystery,
to know you in powerlessness,
to trust you in the darkness.
                       

   —October 11, 2017

God of mercy,
we cry, we cry to you.
Be with us in our darkness.
May your love prevail over all.
Shelter our broken hearts, hallow our grief,
put your arms around our sorrow.
Bear our losses with us, and receive our death.
Give us wisdom to bear both horror and hope,
to face our brokenness without blame,
and our fear without despair.
Give us grace to meet evil with goodness.
Give us courage to hold the fearful,
to heal the wounded, and to work for justice.
Give us the heart to be peacemakers in a troubled world.
God of mercy, give us mercy.
Sustain us with your love.
Raise us from our graves
and give us courage and mercy.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Amen.

– October 3, 2017

There’s a dip in the stone step
in the threshold of the old cathedral,
worn where thousands of pilgrims have stepped
as they entered the darkness to pray.

Even in the old country church
the railing is rubbed bare
where the faithful have grasped,
have leaned, have hoped.

There is a worn spot
at the threshold of your heart
where God has entered the silence
over and over, to pray and gaze at your altar.

You don’t have to hear the words.
You don’t have to understand.
Just step on the threshold,
touch the railing, and you know.                       

   —October 2, 2017

         Praying Philippians 2.1-11
                  

God, grant me encouragement in Christ.
Give me the consolation of love,
the Spirit’s sharing,
and compassion and sympathy.
Make my joy complete,
and my harmony with Christ.
Help me do nothing from selfish ambition or deceit,
but in humility regard people with honor
and look to the interests of others.

Let the mind of Christ be in me:
no to attain status
but to empty myself
and take the place of a servant,
trusting your presence in my humanity.
May I become obedient in self-giving.
May Christ rule my life in grace.
May my humility, love and service
be your glory.

I pour myself out
and find you in me.
                       

   —September 29, 2017