Been A Year of...

This last year has been, for me, a year of learning to go into the darkness. In various ways, I felt God showing me, teaching me that Christ goes into the darkness, heads towards the "muck" of life... he does not lift his skirts and go away... he dives into it and brings us through it.

So, the year was a year of turning my inmost self. Becoming sensitive to when I am "lifting my skirts", backing away from something difficult and instead moving towards it and trying to remain present while I do it.

Today I found this on Inward/Outward. Really, it is getting embarrassing how much I am putting their stuff on this blog. But what they have been sharing has been speaking to me... the poem reminds me of the story of a person asking Mother Teresa to pray for them that they may have clarity in their situation -- to which she replied, "I will not pray for clarity, but that you may trust God." So, here you go.

Better Than Light
M. Louise Haskins

And I said to the man
who stood at the gate of the year,
'Give me a light that I may
tread safely into the unknown.'

And he replied,
'Go out into the darkness,
and put your hand into
the hand of God.
That shall be to you better
than light,
and safer than
the known way."

Source: Unknown

Lord, may I learn to trust your hand in the dark. ~J