GOD IS GRACIOUS by Stamatina Daniilidis

When I find myself in the pigsty

God meets me and says

Do not you see the throne I carry for you high?

When I find myself a wayfaring stranger

God points to me and says

Do not you see what awaits you in My manger?

When I find myself wanting none of the day’s roles

God kisses my feet and says

What need have you for escape

When salvation is right beneath your soles?

When I find myself slipping on the peels

God humours me and says

And remember not that you have wings on your heels?

When I find myself denying peace

God humbles me and asks

Child, who is it denying peace?

Indistinguishably

Who is it that seeks peace

When My Garden lies outside your idle dreams

Of should and shouldn’t

Where grievances cease?

Know not you already My Will is the only will?

Know not you already that it matters not

If you find yourself in the pigsty or the manger

As a ravenous king or wayfaring stranger

As John the beloved or Thomas the doubter*

If you venture far and outer

When the waitress always brings you the check?*

When I have sent a sparrow to sing on your shoulder

At the base of your neck?

Whether your days are calm or full of wreck

When what you can see of all My creation

Is but only a speck

Whether you are delighted or dismayed

When the dues have already been paid

When every crevice scavenged and stone unturned

Was My face all along quietly discerned.

When you marvel at even the petal of a flower

I am there in the details expanded

Indistinguishably

When you throw the towel in

There I am in the basket which it landed.

In the malaise, the dullness, the void

Ask yourself, child

Who is it that asks the void be filled

When the void cares not

If it is gaping or employed?

*Inspired by quote from Brennan Manning