For a While

I was introduced to the poetry of the mystics at a clergy retreat I attend a couple of times a year. I will admit that I was apprehensive at first - I'm not a big poetry fan. But the more I read, the more I appreciate insights about the Holy shared in this fashion.

Periodically, I will share poems or portions of poems through this avenue to introduce these masters to others and invite conversation on their work.

For a While
from I Heard God Laughing
Renderings of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky

We have all come to the right place.
We all sit in God's classroom.

Now,
The only thing left for us to do, my dear,

Is to stop
Throwing spitballs for a while.


Personally, I find it difficult to picture hurling spitballs towards God (or even in the vicinity of God!), but I love the image as a metaphor for our inattentiveness to God. I can think of a number of spitballs in my life, those things that get in the way of simply sitting at God's feet and "being." I know that sometimes I get caught up in the administrative end of what I do far too deeply (someone reading this is chuckling loudly right now!) and it cuts off my ability to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Other times I find myself more absorbed in the news or the box score of the game than I am in the pursuit of God. Perhaps someone needs to take careful aim at my soul and launch a soggy yet solid wad to wake me up! Let's chat...