Devotion for April 19

The Lap of God

by Martha Popson 

She was shelling peas,
apron-covered knees
spread wide to catch
each pea/each pod

I, shaky, needy
wandered near

Her ancient swollen hands
pushed back the hair
that hid my face

She set down the pan and,
patting her knee,
said:

oh, child
come on up here
and let me have a look at you.

Her voice was safe and so was I
sitting in the lap of God.

Lenten Devotion for March 3

You Are With Me

by Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Holy One,

Light of my shadows and Way of my wandering,

you are the desert in whom I find myself;

you are the presence in whom, in solitude, I am not alone.

Walk with me into the wilderness of my sin.

Expose what is hidden that I need to see;

receive what is broken, that it may be healed;

forgive what is hurtful,

and bless what returns me to life.

By your grace may I find in my shadows your glorious image,

and in my broken heart your crucified Christ.

For you are my only power, my only security,

and the source of my truest self.

Gracious and Loving One,

I walk through a valley of shadows and death:

you are with me, and I trust you. Amen.