NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 7/27

 

 

This morning I took the train into Boston,

got off  at North Station,

walked to and through Quincy Market

and on to Christopher Columbus Park 

on the waterfront...

Thanks to the wisteria weaving its way

through the grand arching trellis,

I found a shaded park bench 

where I took a seat and

   - there you were, Lord!

 

That bench had looked quite empty

but as soon as I sat down I knew

   - I was not alone...

 

Did you walk down Lexington with me,

in a hurry to catch the 9:39

at Waverly Station?

 

Did you ride the Purple Line with me

and then dog my steps to the park?

Or were you already there, 

patiently waiting for me

- or whoever might have come along

and sat down on that bench?

 

No matter, Lord! 

Just that you met me

   is all that's important here...

 

The surprise of it all 

quickly melted into comforted relief 

in this quiet, personal epiphany

on  a bench in a park I'd not visited

for at least a dozen years

   - and there you were...

As I recall, Lord, we didn't speak that much, 

huddled on that wooden bench.

I know I didn't need to talk: 

just to be with you there

   was perfectly right,

   more than enough,

   a blessed serendipity, 

   an unexpected gift and truly 

      - just what I needed...

 

It couldn't have been more simple

and simple was just what I needed...

 

Keep following me, Lord! 

Pursue me with your unfailing fidelity!

Keep showing up 

   in places where I don't expect to find you!

 

And quietly welcome me 

to spend some easy time with you

   - as would an old friend I might bump into

   on a sunny summer morning 

   in the park...

 

Protect me, Lord while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch for you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

 

Amen. 

Surprised by Joy by Carolyn Arends

 

Every once in a while on a summer night The sunset glows and I see the light And when the stars come out it dawns on me There is holy ground underneath my feet Surprised by joy, awash in love Just one taste of grace and I'm overcome You've got a way  of breaking through 'Til I'm surprised by joy, I'm amazed by you Just the other day when I kissed my son I was blown away by what you've done 'Cause when he smiles at me    with his toothless grin All at once I see your hand on him And when I least expect it You surround me You astound me with your love   You've got a way of breaking through 'Til I'm surprised by joy, I'm amazed by you Surprised by joy, awash in love Just one taste of grace and I'm overcome You've got a way of breaking through 'Til I'm surprised by joy, I'm amazed by you

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