A Blessing for Pilgrims

I bless you with movement stirring from
within your deepest self.

I bless you with a compass arising
and a true way to go.

I bless your feet with the barefoot knowledge
of the earth and no restriction to your steps.

I bless your anchor and your sail
and a breeze to companion you through the doldrums,
to send you forth where you have not dared to go.

I bless you with a transparency of heart
and a loosening of what binds,

with the comradeship of kindred souls
to pass you a lantern on the darkest nights,

with the final destination to be set as flint
upon you, a tattoo of the finest maps
to guide, and alignment voice-to-voice
of sure-fire navigation.

I bless you to take hold of the hand
that is offered to pull you up when
you need it,

and for fellow travellers to abound
in grace and wisdom.

I bless you with the ability to move on
when the season has ripened,
and the ability to settle when it is time to stay.

I bless you Pilgrim with contentment,
knowing your ultimate heavenly call
is placing you here and now in the present.

I bless you with what longs enough
to keep the ache of what is too beautiful
at the forefront of your spirit.

I bless you with a will before the
great will, a humility to change
direction when needed, to admit you
have made a mistake and to learn from it.

I bless you with the quest of your life and
birth, with the call of your destiny
written upon your soul,
etched as treasure upon your heart,
beating with a rhythm that leads you home.

Jenneth Graser

Photography Tim Foster Unsplash

The Waters of the Year

May my days be baptised in love.

I anchored myself in your harbour
and you gave me sails hand woven
to navigate the waters of the year.

You did not promise me absolutes,
that I would know the outcome
before the day I set sail, no.

You promised me your presence
at the helm.

You didn't tell me where we would
be headed,
but you have the map and are open
to suggestions.

There is a way to go but many possible
options on how to get there
and you taught me to enjoy the salty air,
watch for seagulls and how life
surprises you on any given day.

We have learned to go slow
when slow is required
and to listen for the weather.

We have learned to respect the elements
that are greater
and find ourselves in prayer.

All silent with you on deck
going with the swell,
lying on our backs and counting things celestial,
waiting for nothing,
because everything we need is here.

May my days be baptised in love.

Jenneth Graser

Photography Unsplash - Armando Castillejos

Listen to The Voyage by Amanda Cook

The Unknown Seas of a New Year

There is a wind blowing off the sea
urging clouds across thirsty mountains.
A sail has responded internally
setting course for the unknown seas of a new year.

The goaded feet of many travellers
have found the chains, broken,
the fetters smashed.

It was enough to be reminded
of waters from within the most Beautiful Man
that may be drawn to quench all thirst.

Amidst one Son, a countless variety
of pilgrims are voyaging, many sails aloft.

Inside, the breath of the Spirit sets the course
as we stand with wind in our faces
setting our sights on what fills the horizon.

The waves may veer us to the left or the right,
but we hear a voice directing
with true compass navigation.

As the elements swirl around us on this blustery fine day,
we know with a sure anchor
that when we come into harbour tonight
the driven strife will have blown away
and we will feel filled with open spaces
waiting to be travelled.

The map is in the hands of our Captain
and his weather-worn face assures us
that this harbour under the stars
is a place for now, to call home

until tomorrow we set sail again,
and we will be carried
by the four winds of the Spirit
into whatever's ahead.

All we need do is raise anchor,
and hoist the sails.

Jenneth Graser

Artist - A. D. Blake

I wish all of you a Very Blessed and Merry Christmas and Joyous New Year!  Thank you for being part of the journey at Prayers on the Wing this year.  It has been for me in many ways a poetry journal and process of some very transitional times in our lives.  I appreciate each one of you and pray every blessing over you and your families into the New Year.

~ Available from Secret Place Devotions: A Listening Reflection for New Year 2017

~ Did you know that Catching the Light is available for audiobook download? ~ Episode 1-10 and 11-20: scripture reading, gentle piano background music, a devotional reflection and poetry for contemplation: Audiobook Catching the Light Episode 11-20