The First Heartbeat

The First Heartbeat

In praise and thanksgiving for the first beat
Of the Sacred Heart of Him
Who was born,
Savior and King.

As today, new life is conceived,
And secreted away in a woman’s womb,
Known only to God in darkness,
As it’s rhythms begin a song of praise
Ever so silent.

Then the moment of joyous awakening,
A singular throb sends a resounding shiver
Through amniotic waters,
Alerting angels of one more heart
Ready to join their chorus of hosannas.

Sounds full of thankfulness,
A eucharist of being and becoming,
Ever so sacred,
To the glory of God.

copyright 2014 Joann Nelander

LIFTED UP, I AM DRAWN

Lifted up,
You hang above the world.
Your outstretched arms
Measure the breath of Your Love.

How great the distance between us,
Yet, greater still,
Your unquenchable thirst for me.

I am a child, a lowly one,
Troubling you yet and always.
I tug at the hem of Your garment
While You tug at my heart.

Lord of my hopes,
Lord of my longing,
Lord of my sorrows,
Lord of my weeping,
Ruler of all Time and Space,
You draw me to an Eternity in Your Embrace.

©2014 Joann Nelander

AT YOUR TABLE

small-Matt26_26_The_Last_Supper

Here I am at Your Table.
I am all need.
I am all pleading.
I am all receptivity.

Here I Am before Hope.
I am sorrow.
I am grief.
I am empty.

Here I am before Your Throne.
You are Love.
You are Joy.
You are mine.

copyright 2014 Joann Nelander

Thanks Be to God

For what am I thankful? How about that I am.
Yes, I am here, a creature,one among others, willed into existence by the God of All, and He constantly calls me to know Him. I am free, in other words.

Yes, I am free, free to be free of God, if I so choose.
There it is again, scary freedom, free to be ignorant of the One Who calls, the One Who Loves.

He calls through His creation, look at Me, I Am Truth. I Am Beauty. I Am Love. His call proclaims me not one among others, but His one and only. Be not only being but exceedingly blessed. Be, by faith, and "Amen", My Son. Reign as priest,and prophet and King.

For what am I thankful? I am thankful that I am grateful. With my eyes, I have seen,and with my heart, I have said, "Amen". I answer "Amen" with my every heartbeat, my very breath. With all the moments of my life, I call to my God, my "Amen". I am Son, caught up in Triune Being. He wears my "Yes" as eternal glory.

He is, and I am all thanksgiving.

copyright 2014 Joann Nelander

What happens when I die?

What happens when I die?

MEMORIES ETERNAL – A PRAYER

May I live with Mary in my heart this day.
May her thoughts,
And precious memories of You, dear Jesus,
Resound in my mind and fill my soul,
That even Angels in flight,
And the Triumphant in Heaven,
Stop to listen and love with me.
Amen