She Prays Within Me

by Sr. Mary Jo Loebig, OCD

 
 
 
A little French girl
with a spirit as big
as Iowa's Heartland
catches my spirit,
and, this is how we pray:
As writing on the heart,
As lines upon the face,
As first tear upon the brim
And ruby in the locket,
So are You to me, God of my life.
As hunger in the heart,
As Way to life's little,
As light in the lantern
And wide open country to one small step,
So are You to me, God of my life.
 

 
 
As faith in the bleating of midnight,
As breath in last hour,
As forever to passing second
And all the world to one small corner,
So are You to me, God of my life.

 
 
As fire in the heart of mission,
As warm embrace to the surrendered,
As hidden rejoicing in struggle
And Gracious All to whimsical choosing,
So are You to me, God of my life.
One hundred years ago,
Love could no longer wait.
But, the little French girl,
with invincible spirit
and undaunted creativity returned.
Now, she moves among us,
smoothing out the rough, breaking impasses,
surprising in secret, smiling impishly,
making roses out of most unusual things.
 
 
 
 
 

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