The Means of Grace

Date: 18 January 2012 20:56:35

Sharing the poem I have written for Saturday as no where is it written I can't share it with friends in advance. Somehow it feels right sharing it on here, as this is pretty much where my poetry lives and whilst this may have a different purpose it is still one of my poems.

The Means Of Grace in This Place

I might wrestle with the means of grace;

those works of mercy and piety -

if the real world were not forever in my face.

In my world landline, mobile, email, text and twitter,

Facebook, message board and even old school letter

compete with the voices of children, parents, partner,

employer, friends and even occasional stranger.

So I might wrestle with the means of grace;

those works of mercy and piety -

if the real world were not forever in my face.

I want to do evangelism and engage

in acts of personal kindness and justice.

I want to get to church to worship and take communion;

I’d love to go on pilgrimage or retreat;

find a spiritual director or join a small group.

I want to wrestle with the means of grace;

those works of mercy and piety –

but the real world is forever in my face.

Stop for a moment; breathe – and come with me.

I want to show you how you can engage

with the means of grace;

those works of mercy and piety –

even if the real world’s forever in your face.

We’ll start in your office;

that place where demands

and constantly updated computer screen dominate.

Here is a small card of blessing.

Pin it up there on the wall

as your machine boots up each morning.

Take time to pray it through;

it’s a tiny example of the means of grace;

a small work of piety –

but it might help get the real world out of your face.

Then as you log on and visit a site

with a couple of verses – there for the day.

And as you scan the day’s news

pause for a moment, reading each story

and bring those involved before God.

It’s a tiny example of the means of grace;

a small work of piety –

but it might help get the real world out of your face.

Finally here look at the pictures

on mousemap and screen saver;

images glanced at randomly each day.

Think of those visuals and what they might say.

A memory of stillness, the awe of creation or simply a face

Which makes you stop, smile and say “thank you Lord”.

It’s a tiny example of the means of grace;

a small work of piety –

but it might help get the real world out of your face.

Next into the longue – with the tv and sofa;

mobile laying on the table next to the i-pad speaker.

Light a candle and lie on the sofa;

pick up the remote and turn the tv off.

Listen for that still small voice –

the feeling of being strangely warmed.

It’s a tiny example of the means of grace;

a small work of piety -

but it might help get the real world out of your face.

Then pick up the i-pod and listen

to a worship playlist – a selection of songs

which speak of the greatness of God.

Whilst sitting there chilling get hold of the mobile or phone

and make the call or send the text you’ve been meaning to –

just to enquire and say thinking of you.

Tiny examples of the means of grace;

small works of mercy and piety-

but they might help get the real world out of your face.

Off to the bedroom where diary and novel

lay carefully placed on the bedside cabinet

and there’s that mark on the wall

you’ve been meaning to cover.

Why not turn diary to journal

and add bible to the pile

of books and stationary next to the teddy?

And cover the mark with a beautiful picture

of that place where God especially meets you.

Tiny examples of the means of grace;

small works of piety –

but they might help get the real world out of your face.

Now to the kitchen;

stocked from the supermarket once every week.

Look at the shelves and ask a few questions

as you make the next list.

Who made it and how?

Fairtrade? Locally sourced? Or ethically caught?

And is it a product that deserves your financial support?

Tiny examples of the means of grace;

a small work of mercy –

but it might help get the real world out of your face.

Bottle of red stands by rustic loaf on the side.

Just food and drink in your kitchen – waiting for evening.

But taken – once blessed by presbyter –

these become sacrament;

items of remembrance – of body and blood.

Take a moment to reflect ;

and on Sunday engage afresh.

A tiny example of the means of grace;

a small work of piety –

but it might help get the real world out of your face.

Before I go I slip About A Boy into the DVD

and we watch Hugh Grant finding nobody is an island.

On the noticeboard sits a list of opportunities

to come and engage in public worship.

Different days, different times – cross check with the diary

and work out when you have a window – for just one of them.

A tiny example of the means of grace;

a small act of piety each week –

that helps the real world get out of your face.

As I wave goodbye we agree I’ll pop back from time to time.

You’ll put on the kettle and make a brew;

we’ll talk over how goes it with me and with you.

We’ll share with each other – disciples each one –

how we’re doing with the means of grace;

small acts of mercy and piety –

which are helping His real world get back into our faces.