A Sabbath Poem (Oliver)

 

PRAYING
~ by Mary Oliver

It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

(from Thirst: Poems by Mary Oliver, Beacon Press, 2006)
Thank you Rabbi David Ingber for sending us this book!

Comments

[Jonathan Brauer]

What a God we serve! He longs to speak to us. He says “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) He longs to cover us with His feathers and let His truth be our shield and buckler (Psalms 91:4). He longs for us to not only listen but obey his word. As Moses wrote “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” Deut 5:29, or as Christ said “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me … and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21). Our Father longs to give us true “food which endures to eternal life” (John 6:27). He says “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls” (Matt 11:28,29). He is the Lord of the Sabbath. He is the one who gives us rest. He is the one who rescued us from slavery (Deut 5:15). I pray Lord of the Sabbath will give you true rest this Sabbath! Shalom.