Spiritual Things Matter

_{Photograph by: K. Alan Lewis}

In youth we stand strong in our convictions
With passions and beliefs we hold so dear.
We stand solid firm in a warrior-like fashion
Declaring with strength the path that seems clear.

One day, though, we awaken
Only to notice a change has taken place.
We have grown a little older and we realize
That life and all its passions, are not so clear.

~Viola Jaynes

Yesterday, I received a poem from an anonymous reader on one of my posts entitled, “The Gain of Loss.” As I read it several times, tears came to my eyes because it was so fitting. It deeply touched my heart and I am moved with gratitude for the thoughtfulness and kindness it displays. Thank you, my dear anonymous reader! I would like to share it now with my readers.

The Gain of Loss

Hardest of Life’s lessons is loss,

In which having becomes without,

When complete changes to shatters,

That what was full is, just an emptiness,

And guided becomes lost.

Security of knowing, fades to a memory,

Images of Love, become dreams,

Security of touch, a sensation ebbed away,

And Loneliness becomes company.

When the weakened Heart, strengthens,

tired from the weariness of loss,

Growing, of the last Love,

To become the strength,

Of the next.

Lesson learned, is not to Love less,

With Loss,

lesson is, to learn to Love Grander,

With Gain.

~Darrel Kincaid

*Sent to me by a Secret Friend

Life brings challenging relationships into our lives at times. Each of us can relate to having injured someone or someone that has injured us. I believe with all my heart that any relationship can be healed, no matter how deep the pain has gone. Forgiveness must be practical and practiced precisely when it is needed - otherwise it is only theory and it will be void of any meaning and substance whatsoever. Forgiveness is an expression of love and a sincere desire for spiritual growth. Accepting forgiveness brings a gentle mercy into our lives, teaching us to be kind to all. I wrote this as I was trying to mend a broken relationship:

I look above the stormy clouds
It is peaceful there, you see.
No striving and no anger is there
Only God’s Beauty! Oh, what Peace!

Below those stormy clouds it has rained.
The wind has blown hard and strong.
Confusion and calamity
Were all that came along.

I tried to hold your hands so tight,
But the force was way too strong.
I cried, with bitter tears I cried,
“Hold on, please don’t let go!” I was wrong.”

Still, I was swept away with fury,
In all its filth and mud.
Reaching out just one more time -
But it only proved for naught.

So, it was fear itself that took hold and overcame my heart!

Then I saw a mountain - right before my eyes.
In all my filth, I dared to stand, ascending it on high.

I felt a calm surrounding -
As I looked around in awe.
My tears were no longer bitter -
But transcended in my heart.

I realized within the hull of God’s Glory,
His Plan to whisper still -
More Truth about His Mysteries,
Then brought Peace, and it was Still.

Now, I dare to once again -
Reach out my hands to you.
In hopes that we may forgive each other -
With healing balm to wounds.

Oh please, don’t turn your face
The other way again.
Don’t walk away to shun me -
With a veil of scorn and discontent.

Could we hold each other’s hand -
To behold God’s Beauty upon High?
There is no fear or confusion there -
Only His Love and Wisdom - which brings peace of mind.

Could we love and trust each other -
Just one more time?
I want to love and trust each other -
Just one more time! Just one more time!

~Viola M. Jaynes
2007

Standing back and watching
as people come and go.
I notice on their faces
stories that have not been told.

Deep within their hearts
are words they utter not
for fear that no one would understand
but criticize their travailing heart.

Pains from the past they carry
as if just happened yesterday.
They are blinded to their own Power - within,
or perhaps, they have not yet been made aware.

They carry the shame of mistakes they’ve made -
and cover it up with a mask that fits tight.
The dark thoughts of disparity run rampant
as they figure out some way to hide.

When their anger is turned inward
in deep depression they usually fall.
If their anger is turned outward
then others take the fall.

Humanity does struggle
to come to terms with life itself.
They somehow conjure up
that all is complex and thus, they fall into despair.

It is through their passions of tears,
of love and anger, desires and fears;
through the yearning of things not yet received-
that Light begins to penetrate and finally shines to heal.

In humility, I bow to you, my dearest God -
Comfort your people, bring peace of heart.
Oh, comfort those that feel desperately alone-
shedding tears of hidden pain unknown.

Comfort those that have gone astray;
Breathe upon them as You bring clarity along the way.
Comfort those that have fallen - have been bruised and scarred at best-
that they might find a Higher Way, a place of Peace and Rest.

Oh, comfort them, comfort them- my dearest God.
Your Grace is sufficient -
Your Strength is made perfect
in the weakness of men’s hearts.

No more blind leading the blind -
No more deaf ears that cannot hear.
No more eyes that have dimly seen
No more hearts that were only lead by fear.

In Your Grace and through Your Grace-
the moment has come for change.
Your Loving-Kindness is better then life
so comfort Your people, I pray!

~Viola M. Jaynes