The 60-Second Sabbath

Psalm 46:10, Exploded

"Be still
    and know that I am God."

Sit in silence
    and know that I am God.
Quiet your mind
    and know that I am God.
Stop your restless rumination and internal, verbal regurgitation
    and know that I am God.
Stop throwing words at me
    and know that I am God.
For heaven's sake, shut up
    and know that I am God.

Set aside your ego
    and know that I am God.
Release the need to be right
    and know that I am God.
Empty yourself
    and know that I am God.

Make space for me
    and know that I am God.
Welcome stillness
    and know that I am God.
Embrace quiet
    and know that I am God.

Be still
    and know that I am God.
Simply be
    and know that I am God.

Today, now
    be still.

Text and image © 2024 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back, Winter

Oh, Winter, dear, you heard my plea;
    you have returned to play with me,
to chill my nose and make it run,
    to fling your flakes in reckless fun.

I welcome you with open arms
    embracing all your bracing charms.
Please let me be your troubadour
    as temps tonight drop down to 4.

So cuddle up and settle in
    with cocoa spiced with cinnamon,
and maybe, yes, a shot of schnapps
    and whipped cream piled high on top.

Ah, Winter, how I missed you so.
    Now bring the snow and let it blow.
You're back to gladden child-like souls,
    as we your shivery gifts extol.

Welcome back!

Text and image © 2024 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.

 

 

Epiphany, 2025

Happy Epiphany,
    the day that celebrates the arrival of the kings,
but more importantly,
    the day that proclaims
that the Light has arrived,
    Light for all,
no matter our creed, race, or nationality.

Light for all people!
    Hallelujah! 
Gloria in excelsis deo!

Last night was 12th night,
    the final night of Christmas (officially/liturgically).
Some celebrate 12th night
    by baking a "King's Cake,"
eaten today, on Epiphany.
    Some wait until 12th Night
to place the three kings in their Nativity scenes.

I put away our Nativity today,
    tenderly rewrapping each figure 
in that old tissue paper,
    gently placing them back in the box.

The cats helped,
    Dickens attacking the paper each time I reached for it,
and Miko and Abby climbing into the box.

Eventually all was completed,
    everyone (and every critter)
tucked away until December, 2025
    (or perhaps November, as the Spirit moves).

May the new year bring Light to us all,
    compassion and humility to our divided nation
comfort to our hurting world,
    healing to our broken hearts,
companionship, acceptance, joy, and respect.

Happy Epiphany, all!

Text and image © 2024 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.