Wednesday, August 06, 2008





An_encouragement,
like seeing a little seed pop up through the earth -
as new shoot,
is when you see a human
take one step.


Once dull.
Avoiding talking.
Not making contributions.
Silence as a defence.
Avoiding risk.
Avoiding attention.
Avoiding showing interest.

Then the seed pops.
A little seedling.
Germination.
Sprouting involvement.

This human starts to be articulate in a stumbling fumbling way.
Diamonds dribble down the chin.
Reflections expressing and creating wisdom.
There is a human behind the bulk.
From the flesh sprouts reflections which help us all.


I guess you don't know what I am on about.
I have a picture in my mind.
I can hear the words.
I can see the primary language,
facial and body language.
And I delight in this human becoming.

I think that development is what it is all about,
kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.
Becoming.

I believe that this is spiritual.
God is excited about seedlings.
About sprouting of all kinds.
Seeing the ultimate of creation - becoming.

So - from a group,
I am encouraged by focusing on one.
Mustard seed ................... diamonds ......

All the diamonds in this world
That mean anything to me
Are conjured up by wind and sunlight
Sparkling on the sea

I ran aground in a harbour town
Lost the taste for being free
Thank God He sent some gull-chased ship
To carry me to sea

Two thousand years and half a world away
Dying trees still grow greener when you pray

Silver scales flash bright and fade
In reeds along the shore
Like a pearl in sea of liquid jade
His ship comes shining
Like a crystal swan in a sky of suns
His ship comes shining.
Bruce Cockburn.