Fountains of Tears

Jeremiah 9:1 I wish my head were a well of water and my eyes fountains of tears, so I could weep day and night for casualties among my dear, dear people.

Sometimes I feel like Jeremiah when I read or hear of or even think about all the terrible things going on in the world. Could there be enough tears, enough sorrow and grief for all the victims of violence and genocide? Of injustice and oppression? Of earthquake, storm and fire? How do I keep my heart open to the world’s pain without drowning in it?

I guess this is what I think the purpose of faith in God is, and the purpose of the practices of faith: prayer, meditation, community, reading scripture. It is in these experiences of the Presence of God that my self is grounded and out of which my compassion springs. Later on Jeremiah quotes God saying don’t brag about anything except that you understand and know me. Well, I’d certainly never claim that I understand God. Who can understand the ultimate mystery? But that I know God, that these practices keep me in touch with God, or at least open to God’s Presence, this is the foundation of my faith, the ground of my Being.

I feel as if I am coming up through thick, heavy water filled with seaweed, marsh grass and layers and layers of debris, as if I have been underwater for some time and I am still struggling to get to the surface. It is slow getting back into this practice, but I am still drawn here and find, like today, that if I persist in my efforts, I have the reward of sitting here and speaking from my heart to my unknown audience. I will keep trying to recover some consistency and ask whoever you are or aren’t to be patient, hold me in your hearts and keep coming back.

Prayer: Dear God, There are times I know You and Your will for me so clearly, and others that I am caught up in doubt, second guessing and confusion. Help me persevere so that my life can be a song of Your Presence serenading the world. Amen.