I Saw What I Have Seen
John Bonney of Springfield, OR, USA
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves. -Psalm 126:5-6
I saw the moon, much reduced as it transitioned from a full everything to a dwindling little. I saw Venus nearby, or so it seemed from the perspective of Earth. Within the pre-dawn light of my reflecting headlamp, I saw the silvery web of a spider suspended within a bush by strands of netted tethers. It was adorned in the finest of gleaming jewelry, droplets of nighttime moisture that had gathered to celebrate the spider’s masterful construction.
I saw a young cat-a black-and-white longhair-rolling and writhing in the dry gutter. The rough texture of the concrete paving soothed her itch. She reveled in the sensation of having her back scratched, her underside exposed to a world she thought to be non-threatening. She accepted me as non-threatening also.
I saw caterpillars on the sidewalk. Fat, woolly bears with black and orange bands, scootching along in rippling fashion. I heard geese flying overhead, chatting as they winged their way onward. The sound of their voices is forever haunting, wild, and lovely.
I saw people leaving early for work. As each vehicle passes, I wave. Many recognize me by now and wave back; many do not. “What is that old fellow doing out walking at this time of day? Why, it’s not even day; it’s still night!”
I saw the impending light of day, barely discernible at the edge of recognition. Children are leaving for school via bus or parents’ cars, mothers often tending them, caring for each child as they enter the vehicle.
My eyes lift once more toward the southeast to take another look at Sirius-beautiful in our sky and to our eyes, but, in fact, detrimental to this carbon-based human form. Still and yet, a wonderfully glittering blue-white jewel in the heavens, two stars in one.
I saw creation and was brought to tears of recognition. And this earth! This is a wonderful patch on God’s robe of heaven and all that fills it. Thanks be to God.
Prayer Phrase
“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)
Spiritual Practice
The Prayer of the Heart
Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
