Poem: Fixin’ Lunch #2

I’ll let my Southern roots speak in this poem. I feel proud that I have my daughter’s lunch fixed before midnight; I am improving with practice. I had a full meaningful day as a chaplain being of service to others, visiting, praying, doing some administrative work, but mainly connecting to God and helping out of that center. I felt more energized and less drained throughout the day.

I picked up my daughter after a full day’s work, and we were able to connect and be playful. We had dinner with my house mates, my two Quaker aunties and one of their 27 years old son. I also helped my daughter connect to her mom, her mom’s boyfriend, and grandma via FaceTime; part of brain told me that I’m going well beyond what I need to since I only got to talk to my daughter once over FaceTime last year while she was away in Florida for over 8 days. I’m trying to not keep a tally in my head, and focus on what’s best for my daughter and actually be a decent human being on my end.

So needless to say, this post is much more than just about a poem on fixin’ lunch. It’s about the little victories in life, about enjoying each moment we have, and yes…it’s about my life and how God helps my little heart grow. My daughter is a great teacher, and yes, even divorce and learning to co-parent with the ex has been a great teacher too.

Poem: Fixin’ Lunch #2

nothin’ says i love you like peanut butter and jelly.
i’ll always be your daddy even when you’re smelly.

i’ll tell you stories and use my imagination,
to explore uncharted worlds and exploring all creation.
i’ll chase away the monsters,
and even throw away trash in the dumpsters.

i’ll kiss away your boo boos,
and make train noises go choo! choo!
I ain’t to proud to use a little treat,
to have you eat while in your seat.

not always sure if I know what I’m doin’,
at least our dinner wasn’t just puddin’.
you bring smiles to my heart little girl,
and so grateful we get to share love in this world.

if fixin’ your lunch is the last act i do,
I’ll be at peace with doin’ nothin’ mo’.
love is all the little actions,
filled with meaningful connections.

i spread my knife life loving as i spread the jelly,
and pray i’ll have time for a shower so i won’t be so smelly

A Poem for Calm and Peace in the Midst of Chaos

“Inner Peace” (10w poem)

even in the midst of chaos

my heart is calm

————

Dear Friend,

I wish I could tell you that your   life will always calm and peaceful, but that would be a lie.  My own experience that the storms of life always comes, but if I ground myself with a strong spiritual foundation then I am more apt to navigate the chaos of life with more calm and ease.

One of my favorite writers and fellow former L’Arche member, Henri Nouwen wrote: 

“A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself us.”

I find the willingness to stay when things get very difficult challenging, my first instinct is to run. However, looking back, most of my growth has happened because I stayed and lived with change and kept my heart open even in the midst of chaos.

As a chaplain, I have been able to accompany people when their world falls apart. The calm and peace I maintain comes from my own trust in a loving Divine Presence. Quakers believe that there is that of God in everyone, and instead of just telling people about what we believe, we are encouraged to “let our lives speak.” I love silence both in community and alone, and I try to nurture my soul through centering prayer and meditation, because I can’t give away what I don’t have.

Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun and teacher, suggests that:

“The next time there’s no ground to stand on, don’t consider it an obstacle. Consider it a remarkable stroke of luck. We have no ground to stand on, and at the same time it could soften and inspire us. Finally, after all these years, we could grow up. As Trungpa Rinpoche once said, the best mantra is ‘OM–grow up–svaha.'”  ( from “Three Methods of Working with Chaos)

So don’t run, but embrace the obstacles and storms in your life and fully live into them. Sometimes the calm and peace finds you, even when everything is falling apart around you.

In the Light,

Your Friend Admist the Storm

via https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/calm/