Learning to See Beyond the Storm

So quickly the skies darken,

Clouds obscure the light

Tiny pockets of blue

The only hope in sight

Thunder roars and lightening flashes

The air feels heavy and dense

Trees break and vision is lost

Every nerve scared and tense

Storms of self echo nature’s cycles

Clouds roll in and obscure all sight

Trapped in ego-fashioned darkness

Stifling all God given light

Lost in the moment’s tests and pain

Inner turmoils consume all thought

Hearts are closed and trapped within

Battles repeatedly and continuously fought

These storms hold captive our conscious minds

And our instincts lead us astray

We alienate ourselves from those around us

And hold God’s love at bay

But what if our instincts were to forget ourselves

When we’re confused or wreathing with pain

Instead of being lost in the dark of the storm

To reach out and protect each other from rain

Forgetful of self, trusting in Him

Supporting one another as we learn to fly

Ceaselessly delighting in their progress and service

Together exploring the heights of the sky

He alone can change the gnat into an eagle

The drop into a boundless sea

My deepest wish and greatest desire

Is that this transformation take place within me

A Question of Sight

Your eyes transfix my soul
They look where none have ever seen
Your gaze never wavers one iota
What of my inner essence do You glean?

What do You see in my fear and selfishness?
How do You view my intentions?
How strong is the light of Your love in my heart?
How in line with Your teachings are my reflections?

How can I truly bring myself to account,
When my "self" is directing the quest?
How can I know if I'm actually learning,
Or if my growth is being repressed?

What does it mean to be a willing channel,
A messenger of Your love,
A bearer of spiritual gifts,
Spreading unity from above?

How can I possibly know how,
To bring concord to the earth,
A pale, pathetic, unworthy creature,
Who does not even recognize her own worth?

I look inside me but see only failings
A naive, self absorbed, vulnerable youth
But Your eyes seem to delve deep into my soul
And instead, see capacity, value and truth

So I beg You to aide me to see through Your eyes
And dwell only on Your reflected light
The darkness inside me just space to be filled
With the beauty illumined by Your blessed sight

A Legacy of Sacrifice

I walk in the footsteps of those come before me
And yet I pave my own path along the way
Following their example, I learn from their triumphs
Letting their dedication illumine each day
Their legacy stamped on each page of my story
Their service measured by each wave on the bay
A fleeting moment was their time on this mountain
Yet engraved in every pebble will their sacrifices stay