God, I have to believe that you are present
in the cacophony of my daily life
I cannot believe that the mystical life
is incompatible with the marketplace
Although I protect my times of silent meditation
like a mother bear guards her cubs
I know I live out the reality of my life with you
in the rest of my moving hours of the day
I pray that the peace and depth I find in quiet
spills over into my interactions and relationships
I pray that harmony resides
between my prayer and life
I hope that the transformation of stillness
floods into the activity of my day like a rushing torrent
I cannot barricade you out or dam you up in my prayer closet
No, you must be free to trickle into every moment, thought and word
Yet, I must remember to hold the patience of water too
Like the long, slow process of erosion
You change me slowly
drip, drip, drip
In my haste I cannot underestimate the power of your grace
Like water, in time, it can change even the hardest of stone
and carve out vast spaces for your presence
to dwell in me always
