Journal of Sacred Work

Days 7-8 Threshold

Note: shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel

 

Gateway. Ireland 2011jpg

Sacred Mystery,
waiting on the threshold 
of this new year,
you open the gates
and beckon to me.

"Come! Come!
Be not fearful of what awaits you
as you enter the unknown terrain,
be not doubtful of your ability
to grow from its joys and sorrows.

For I am with you.
I will be your Guide.
I will be your Protector.
You will never be alone."

Guardian of this new year,
I set aside my fears, worries and concerns,
I open my life to mystery, to beauty,
to hospitality, to questions,
to endless opportunity
of discovering in my relationships,
and to all the silent wisps of wonder
that will draw me to your heart.

I welcome your unfailing Presence
and walk with hope into this new year.

–Joyce Rupp

Photo: Ireland, 2011 ~liz 

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10 responses to “Days 7-8 Threshold”

  1. Chapman Health International Avatar
    Chapman Health International

    What a perfect poem and photograph to welcome us into the new year, Liz.
    “…be not doubtful of your ability
    to grow from its joys and sorrows.”
    And this is, of course, our greatest doubt: that sorrows will cripple us and cause us to slam the gate to a richer life,. That pain will cause us to retreat into the false safety of “protected” living.
    Thank you for this, Liz.

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  2. Terry Chapman Avatar
    Terry Chapman

    “Silent wisps of wonder” is a wonderfully evocative phrase! It applies to much of our daily experience of life in general and in particular to such things as the lovely mote of light that one catches out of the corner of the eye often in spring or again in fall; now you see it; now you don’t!
    Also am picturing clouds, waves, and leaves reflecting the late fall light; light which has left us now until returning, we pray, next year.

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  3. Maureen McDermott Avatar
    Maureen McDermott

    How encouraging. Thank you Liz for these words of Joyce Rupp’s to remind us that it is our Companioning God who takes us by the hand and journeys with us through each day. Liz, may you and each of us in gratitude surrender in love, “I welcome your unfailing Presence and walk with hope into this new year.”

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  4. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thank you, Erie, I appreciate your sensitivity and the depth of your response.

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  5. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Lovely reflection and images of light, Terry, yes and this we pray. blessed New Year!

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  6. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Beautifully said, Maureen,yes with gratitude and in companionship we walk into this new year with renewed hope. God bless us all!

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  7. sbeng Avatar
    sbeng

    Liz; what a beautiful poem to usher us into this year. The Lord
    Liz; What beautiful words to encourage as we now walk into this New Year with newness of life: strength and encouragement. I am reminded of the hymn as I write: “and He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am his own”.Whatever we go through in life He is ever present to strengthen and uplift us. HAPPY New YEAR everyone and God Bless.
    ‘

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  8. sbeng Avatar
    sbeng

    HAPPY NEW YEAR Liz. What beautiful words of comfort as we just ushered in the New Year. Thank you Liz for your words of encouragement. The Lord is ever present as we go “through and thick and thin” of life”. I am reminded of the hymn; “and He walks with us and He talks with us and He tells us I am His own…May He take us on in year 2017 as He provides us with strength for each day.

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  9. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Happy new year, Suan and thank you for sharing the hymn of your heart. I find that my heart opens much wider when sacred truths are revealed through the symbolism of their meaning. I get tripped up with literal translations, which seem to insist and propose propose a black and white, either or understanding. It seems so limiting to try to fit an all expansive Love into such a small, self limiting box. The God of my longing is all inclusive and loves without distinction.

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  10. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    So glad Joyce Rupp’s poem resonates with you, Suan. Happy New Year and God bless. He is ever present to guide and strengthen us, thank you!
    P. S. My above comment is something that bubbled up from within and not so much a response to your comment.

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