Lovepats

Who can say

which came first

rock or tree

or how, or when, or why

so being

rock and tree

neither moved

both changed

both defined

by the other

but the tree lived

striving

roots reaching slowly

as tendrils do

easing forward

around the rock

which remained

it thrived

at waters edge

where rock was cleansed, soothed

and smoothed over time

by Living water

not every rock

intended to be a destroyer

remains a destroyer

some remain

a catalyst

for greater growth

bringing awareness of
weakness and

the greater need

for grace and strength

Salvation

lest the tree

rely upon its own roots

Patricia Spreng

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12: 8-9

     Paddling in my kayak, along the shore line of a small inland lake in West Michigan, I was gripped by the sight of this rock embedded in the root system of a tree. I'm sure the neighbors wondered what I was looking at for so long.  Especially when I came back later with a camera. 

     In Luci Shaw's book, Breath for the Bones: Art, Imagination, and Spirit: Reflections on Creativity and Faith, (click on link below) she describes

 "the Spirit is an artist who knows the value of the creative act from divine experience; he’s the one who will baptize my spirit and my imagination and shape the images that he sends into words that bear his own fingerprints."

    "Baptize my spirit and my imagination"... yes.

    In my little kayak, it took no time for me to know and see God there with me, showing me this picture of my life.  I have spent much time hiding, trying to get rid of,  pointing to and blaming the rocks in my life.  But, it was clear to me in this moment that the God-allowed rocks in my root system are there for a purpose...His purpose.  His grace is sufficient.

  
    Luci Shaw quotes poet William Stafford:

So, the world happens twice—

once what we see it as,

second, it legends itself

Deep, the way it is.

   So, Lord, hear my prayer... touch me with Your fingerprints and baptize me again and again... always into Your deep waters.

Shaw, Luci (2009-09-01). Breath for the Bones (Kindle Locations 748-749). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Shaw, Luci (2009-09-01). Breath for the Bones (Kindle Locations 1175-1177). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Sharing today at The High Calling where we are exploring God-given creativity in Luci Shaw's book, Breath for the Bones: Art, Imagination and Spirit: A Reflection on Creativity and Faith , hosted by Laura J. Boggess
Also sharing today at Seedlings In Stone: On, In, and Around Mondays with L.L. Barkat