Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 12/1

Father's Embrace by Ruth Councell*

I wrote this prayer 17 years ago while on my annual retreat and I often post it just as Advent begins. I'm on retreat again at Eastern Point in Gloucester and these words rise from a place in my heart that grows deeper every year - for which I'm very grateful!  In a nutshell, my retreat is my annual exercise in learning again, over and over, that I am loved by God.  Like you, I can easily forget or deny or ignore God's love in my life - my retreat helps me find what I so easily lose...

Embrace

You enfold me, entwine and embrace me.

You handle me, hold me and hide me.

You wrestle me, welcome and want me.

Your chin by my ear,

your hand in my hair,

your arm 'round my back,

my arms rounding you,

my face on your chest:

I'm held in your warmth.

Your eyes keep close watch,

mine close in deep peace.

Your fingers stroke softly

my head's numbered strands.

Your grip is a gift,

your grasp saving grace.

You whisper, 
"You're mine,

I call you by name:

you're found and forgiven,

brought home and beloved."

I breathe, 
"Yes, I am,

shaped and healed by your hand.

You call me by name:

I am yours, 
you are mine."

*Image used with permission of the artist 



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