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
To notice a change has taken place:
We have grown a little older, and 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

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

Is forgiveness needed – as we find our path?
Is the pain imagined?
No, I can’t applaud!
Yes, indeed, all is illusion
but we do live in this world, you see.
Our pain is real to each of us
till we grow beyond that veneer.
Each step we take is experienced
as yet another stage in life.
As we expand our thinking
our hearts will then arrive.

Yes, forgiveness is needed for ourselves,
since we only see in part.
Forgiveness is needed – for others
to bind our hearts.
Forgiveness is needed
to learn of Love in greater depth.
Forgiveness is needed
as humanity does cry for it.

No greater example -
as the Christ who lived on this earth.
As he hung suspended
between heaven, earth and sin,
He cried out – with what strength remained:
“Oh God, forgive them, they know not what they do.
Oh God, forgive them,
their blindness and ignorance let’s undo!
Oh God, forgive them,
I Love them, oh, so very much!
Oh God, forgive them,”
then He took His very last gasp.

The earth was dark in silence
as righteous shame was felt.
Our Holy God – just – Gave His Son
To forgive us, yet He still descended – to greater depths.

ALL is forgiven – nothing ever changes that!
ALL is forgiven.
His work is done.

We now can rest!

Viola Jaynes
2007