Thursday, January 26, 2012

as night falls


It's about a half an hour before dusk, when God is tucking in the world, covering me with night like a blanket. Today was beautiful and warm and I've been thankful for the light. Now the darkness is coming.

I got some word today from some friends who are far away. They are experiencing some very frightening circumstances. I can't go into it in detail, but I can say that my heart is breaking for them today and I'm praying that all will be well soon. I'm praying for their safety.

It's easy sometimes to get caught up in my particular concerns and problems. And then, just as easily, the sky opens up and cheers me. It doesn't take much for my mood to be carried in either direction. But when I hear things like I'm hearing today my heart is pulled in both directions at once. I'm so grateful for the safety of my loved ones. I'm so grateful for my life and the freedom I have to create and explore and move around and see the sky. AND I'm so sad and scared for my friends. I'm so frustrated that the world is cleanly divided between the fortunate and the forgotten. I'm grieving violence and sickness and poverty and despair. I'm putting myself in another part of the world and imagining myself there.

I will not waste this sunset for the heaviness of my heart. I will dance and move and love because evil is clawing at my soul and trying to swallow up the last scraps of goodness in the world. Night is falling, but there are still some slivers of light. I want to wrap my arms around my friends and remind them. Even in the most penetrating darkness the tenderness of love will light a candle. I'm holding a candle for my loves so far away.


8 comments:

  1. thank you for these words, terri. i'm lighting a candle with you now.

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    1. i knew you would be. you and your compassionate heart.

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  2. will be praying for you and yours.

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    1. thank you lori. sometimes the world just sucks, yes? lots of violence in haiti right now. shootings and robberies. my friends there are pretty tense. and we were planning a trip for april and it looks like that wouldn't be the smartest thing right now. it's awful. all prayers are welcome.

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    2. i haven't fully figured out your new comment system, so i didn't realize you'd written back. sorry to just now be seeing the update. that's really awful about your friends~ praying for their safety!! i hate that about your trip in april.

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  3. i'm praying too! sorry to hear that news. :(

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