The 60-Second Sabbath

acceptance

  • To God…

    To God, breaker of this life's chains,lover who is partial to none,path of coming forth,path of return… Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.  Continue reading

  • We Can See

    We can see,but that doesn't mean we look.We can hear,but that doesn't mean we listen.We can speak,but that doesn't mean we converse.We can know,but that doesn't mean we understand.We can embrace,but that doesn't mean we accept. We can gather to… Continue reading

  • We’re All Immigrants

    It's easy to forgetwe're all immigrantswithout any claimto this space or time,wayfarers,both strange and poor. It's easy to forget we're being hostedby a gracious Innkeeper,who endlessly overlooksour unwillingness to clear the table,the clothes we leave on the floor,the lack of… Continue reading

  • That Which Is Next

    That which is next for youlurks around the corner,ready to pounce.You can hide, resist, fight–but it sill comes:illness, unemployment, conflict, loneliness. Or you could say,"That which is next–I'm ready to greet you.We will be companions.I may not best you,but I… Continue reading

  • “Am I Wise?” You Ask

    "Am I wise?" you ask. If you talk too long or loudly,    likely not.If you have more answers than questions,    likely not.If you seek illumination from without,    likely not.If you dance self-consciously and without abandon…        or not at all,    likely not.If you arrive… Continue reading

  • Within Reach

    What if the strongest desiresgiven us by Godhave been placed–purposefully–just outside our grasp? What if being humanmeans forever strivingfor the unattainable?This may bewhere compassion is born.  Or is the pointto let go of the dreamand wrap ourselves fully aroundthat which… Continue reading

  • Misplacing My Heart

    Once again,I have misplaced my heart.Did I leave it on the bar at the Tipsy Parson?in the pew at church?in the hotel room on my last business trip? I risk it for greed,for the possibility of love,for the need to… Continue reading

  • For This We Yearn

    "Listen to me!" It is for this we yearn, yes? "See me!" It is for this we yearn, yes? "I matter!" It is for this we yearn, yes? And even those of us–the published,the sought after,the elected, selected, sanctioned–we all… Continue reading

  • Stop Trying So Hard

    "Stop trying so hard,"says my cat,pausing while grooming,left hind leg still extended upward."We're not going to love you any lessbecause there's dust on the credenza." Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.  Continue reading

  • The Cat Shop

    There is a small shopin my obscure little neighborhood,staffed solely by cats. They sell cans of cat food, or course,and a variety of toys made of feathers, yarn and strips of colored foil.They also carry catnip,from the run-of-the-mill, Petsmart kindto… Continue reading