A Blessing in the Chaos

A Blessing in the Chaos from Jan Richardson. Read it slowly and thoughtfully. God is in this my friends – if I know anything, I know that!

To all that is chaotic
in you,
let there come silence.

Let there be
a calming
of the clamoring,
a stilling
of the voices that
have laid their claim
on you,
that have made their
home in you,

that go with you
even to the
holy places
but will not
let you rest,
will not let you
hear your life
with wholeness
or feel the grace
that fashioned you.

Let what distracts you
cease.
Let what divides you
cease.

Let there come an end
to what diminishes
and demeans,
and let depart
all that keeps you
in its cage.

Let there be
an opening
into the quiet
that lies beneath
the chaos,

where you find
the peace
you did not think
possible
and see what shimmers
within the storm.

I read this in my memories tonight and it resonated. At the time I posted that, there was so much chaos that it was hard to hear God’s voice, or anything, above the noise. I was clamoring for somethung, anything, to hold onto.

But my hands werr getting burned from holding the rope so tight, so I let go. And I breathed….and prayed, and cried and worked hard.

Finally, I can sit in a still room and hear not the clamoring, but thw beautiful silence of Peace. Finally, the chaos has ended. Finally.

And when the chaos is gone, other things can be heard. Like joy. Like love. Like trust. Yes, those sacred things make a sound, that the heart does not miss when it comes.

And so it goes, on this peaceful night. My soul finally is centered, followed by the heart and mind. Amd it shimmers.