As we continue in this sheltering in place world I find that I am looking at pieces that come to me in texts and email with a keener appreciation.  One such arrived this week from a Grace member who forwarded it from an Irish friend who has been stricken by Covid-19 and is in home quarantine and for whose recovery a number of persons have been praying.  I think it has special application during these days.

From the book To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings  by John Donohue.

“This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.

If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning.”

In case you don’t recognize his name, John Donohue (1956-2008) was an Irish poet, author, priest, and Hegelian philosopher. He was a native Irish speaker and as an author is best known for popularizing Celtic spirituality.  You can find more about him as well as his work at his website. https://www.johnodonohue.com/