A Monument and a Name

Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say,

“The Lord will surely separate me from his people”;

and let not the eunuch say,

“Behold, I am a dry tree.”

For thus says the Lord:

“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,

who choose the things that please me

and hold fast my covenant,

I will give in my house and within my walls

a monument and a name

better than sons and daughters;

I will give them an everlasting name

that shall not be cut off.

Isaiah 56:3-5

The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, 

"I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.”

Isaiah 56:8

Beautiful

Tea

Tea came and sat with her on the balcony. It told her great stories of a man from the East, a dragon, the end, a beginning. Fire erupted in her soul, but not the kind that burns, fire that fuels. The story continued. She loved the redemption at the end, and throughout, as each character came to life. In her hand, a cup of tea, in her mind a story, in her heart, praise.

She was from faraway, the land of scarves and swaths of bright cloth, and tea and sunshine, the colors more vibrant and the rain sideways. Her steps were safe, over stones set for her by the kindness of family. Her words were fire, the kind that heals, and her tea was strong and sweet.

Red

Though your sins are like scarlet, 

they shall be as white as snow...

From Isaiah 1:18

Isaiah 45

"Ask me of things to come; 

will you command me concerning 

my children and the work of my hands? 

I made the earth and created man on it; 

it was my hands that stretched out 

the heavens, and I commanded all their host.

I have stirred him up in righteousness,

and I will make all his ways level;

he shall build my city and set my exiles free,

not for price or reward,” says the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah 45:11b-13

Feather

A prayer 

like a feather 

floats on the wind 

On the will of God

From a heart

Just a request

A question

It never stops floating there

With God

Being heard

For a person small and simple

Or a leader great or famous

For a disheveled man in a suit at a train station

For the President

The other one

Were you good or were you bad

Did they fool you too

I got an answer

You will too

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; 

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4

Isaiah 41:13

For I, the Lord your God,

hold your right hand;

it is I who say to you, “Fear not,

I am the one who helps you.”

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; 

be not dismayed, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, 

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.