A Petal In the Water
Even the most insignificant effort matters when done in love
In troubling times, I take comfort in the poetic imagination of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, in being as a little child in full trust and faith. A young cloistered Carmelite nun in 19th century France, St. Thérèse died at the age of 24 of tuberculosis. It is amazing that her devotion to “little ways” of living her faith and love of God has impacted so many lives worldwide to the present day.
"Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love."
- from The Story of a Soul, the spiritual memoir of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
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"Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me" (Proverbs 9:4)
- a verse that struck St. Thérèse deeply
St. Thérèse and the flower of her life were at the back of my mind when I wrote the poem below. As in my other poems, I AM refers to God’s holy name, I AM WHO I AM. (See Exodus 3:13-14).
Whole
By Jane Valencia
News and social commentary condemn man
as terrible for the world,
and in terms of the world
it seems so.
No matter where I turn
I hear of abominations
and so-called solutions
that continue to fill pockets,
and feed the madness
and cannibalize the children
But the Lord tells another story
and in the spring dawn
the geese call me to prayer
All is animated, lively, joy-filled.
My chant is taken up by the Northern Flicker
The deer reveal the movement of verse
My efforts seem so trivial when considered
in any sweep, whether of worldly ways
or New Creation,
Yet the day is underway,
and I place my scraps and scrawls
and remnant actions
into the basket.
Shreds of fish,
crumbles of bread,
In the certainty of heaven they
attain holiness and a proper form
a petal placed in your river
a current rejoicing,
truth everlasting.
In the ripples of mercy,
the droplet matters.
I AM, I pray to you today,
Bless the children
Take them in your arms
and keep them safe.
Carry them in your little boat
ever deeper into your heart.
Amen.
Thank you. I needed this today.
You're welcome, Suzanna!