The Spirit said to me,

bouquet-871899_1280
in the first instant of your being
I laid a burden on you,
which, if you now accept it
by the power of my grace,
can be for you as light
as a billowing cloud.

You see, I desire your arms
to be my arms, open
wide for all in need of
forgiveness and compassion.
your legs to be my legs,
carrying you to where
there is a need
for your special gifts.
your hands to be my hands,
creating beauty to inspire
and delight, your fingers
to be my fingers, pointing
to the paths of truth and
reconciliation, your heart
to be my heart, flowing
with love like a fountain
over a dry, brittle,
cynical world.

You, perhaps, are confused
that I call this burden light.
It can be light because
burdens are made heavy
by anxiety over control
and results. But I tell you
this day, that if you choose
to embrace this vision, control
and results will be mine to bear,
and you, my friend, can go forth
in peace.

© 2014 Dennis Ference

Compassion

hands-717522_1280

Choose not
the path of perfection,
frigid and ruthless
in its demands.
Walk rather
the road of compassion,
with love and mercy
streaming generously
from open hands.

© 2014 Dennis Ference

Love without Forgiveness

Love without forgiveness
is a tantalizing mirage
luring us deep
into a barren desert
of promise unfulfilled.

© 2015 Dennis Ference

Missteps and Stumbles

Missteps and stumbles,
no matter how many,
cannot define
or limit your walk
when humility and gratitude
are your companions
along the way.

© 2014 Dennis Ference

Not Optional

child-843545_1280

Blessed are they
who understand
that forgiveness
is not optional
for the children
of Light.

© 2015 Dennis Ference

Forgiveness Serves Life

texture-1131457_1280

Forgiveness, rising up
from the depths
of the heart,
is as necessary
for cleansing the air
we all breathe
as the spring rains
that nurture and
serve Life.

© 2016 Dennis Ference

A Wider Compassion

clasped-hands-541849_1280

If you choose
to extend a hand
to your shadow
let it not be
out of guilt
or for recrimination
but rather the birthing
of a wider compassion
toward a humanity
cruelly given
to division
and scorn.

© 2014 Dennis Ference

My new book of original inspirational verses, From the Water’s Edge, is now available and can be ordered from https://www.createspace.com/6040109 and http://www.amazon.com/dp/1530558018.

How I hunger

people-1149873_1280

How I hunger
for you
to accept
me as I am
though I sadly
work to conceal
the “whole”
of who I am
from even my own
aching self.

© 2014 Dennis Ference

The Choice

Ipod 5-26-15 192

We begin
our transformation
when we choose
to forgive Life
for not meeting
our grand expectations.

© 2014 Dennis Ference
Photo © 2015 Lily Brock
(First posted without pic 10/17/14.

Endless Refrain

lightning-bolt-768801_1920

When could have’s
should have’s,
if only’s and maybe’s
pound on your path
like a torrential rain
seek shelter in the
promise of Love
and Mercy: God’s
hopeful and
endless refrain.

© 2014 Dennis Ference
(First posted without pic 10/29/14.)