acceptance
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John 13:23
Why does Johnrefer to"the disciple whom Jesus loved"and not name him/her? John employs a literary device:by leaving that disciple unnamed,that disciple becomes me;that disciple becomes you. I…you…recline on Jesus' breast,cheek to chest,feeling his warmth,the rise and fall of his breath.… Continue reading
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Thursday Prayer
Good morning, Creator: Take pity on me, I pray,that today the disorienting winds of rearrangement won't leave me again upside-down in the bushes,but instead may speed me further toward tomorrows cupping contentment. Amen. Text and image © 2014 by Dirk deVries. All… Continue reading
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Sophia, Once Again
"Sweetie," she said,"these things aren't happening to you,they're happening for you.There's a big difference." My blank lookmust have communicated my confusion. She patted me on the knee."You just sit with thatwhile I get us some tea." Text and image © 2014… Continue reading
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Scorecard
God does not keep score. Why do we? Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Impermanence
Even the finest things,those we treasure most,are meant to fray, unravel and pass away: my grandmother's hand-stitched coverlet, the scarf I knitted for my mother in third grade, my father's favorite flannel shirt, friendships, … Continue reading
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Revelation
A whirlwindthrowing light,God spins by,erasing the lineI'd carefully drawnbetween sacred and secular. Laughing, God calls back,"Haven't you heard?I am the anti-boundary!" Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Living Halfly
Whether in a community of faith,a circle of friendsor a partnership with one,we all need a safe space to be authentic, to speak our truth, to reveal our emotions. Until this happens,we live halfly. When this happens–when… Continue reading
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God’s Lap
Oh, to curl in God's lapthe way my cat curls in mine,to feel a strong hand steadying my side,to feel breath rise and falldeeper, slower than mine. Oh, to trust so completely.Oh, to so melt. And when God gets up to… Continue reading
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The Passion Is Enough
She pops up unexpectedly–beneath the darkening canopy of treesin the deep woods,from behind a stack of boxesin a corner of the basement,or like now,in a quiet gallery at the back of the art museum: "Beautiful, yes?" "It is," I answer.… Continue reading