Straight and narrow: it seems we have been advised to stay. It should not surprise, then that life's journey braves the thicket and the swamp the deep, dark womb of forest where the seeds of living are formed. Straight and narrow climbs the cliffs hanging on in terror to feel oneself sustained again, and again by the wise, tenacious love of God. Do not skirt the thicket; its briers frame this fierce, improbable beauty: the God Who Loves' abiding embrace.
Dear Reading Friend,
A sharp contrast was drawn for me this week, between the orderly neatness of having it all figured out, and the messy struggle of ever-clambering to keep hold of the shirttails of God. I felt, deep in that place between stomach and gut, that I would rather choose messy; continue to sport all the scratches and mud splotches evident of the potentially infectious encounters of pursuing God wherever he leads, than wear the polished veneer of having stayed behind. I’m sharing these poems to invite your pondering, but perhaps also to bolster my resolve. Godspeed, Jfig
For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
“Matthew 7 (ESV) – For the gate is narrow.” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 27 Mar, 2021. https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/mat/7/14/s_936014.
Messy i did not anticipate messy mountains of laundry the stain of anguished tears for there are some that drip from a mother's heart that stain one's shirt forever. i did not anticipate seeing when we each vowed, "I do" sullen dark corners inside the hallways called me no solvent could touch, save grace messy, this creosote of banner borne, blood yet fresh on the beams of his cross my need sticky, with splinters and nails little did i imagine his agony of stretch nor such tedious debridement; things Creator would not have me (w)bear chafing - cautious dismantle to recover image; His Love emblazoned on my heart. messy. jfig 3/2021
