The Leather-bound Books

Friday, 17 March 2017

I glimpse something white in the corner of my eyes,

and my heart expands out of joy.

Jesus is with me.

I look down my right side,

where your white robe touches mine.

You speak to me.

I hear you, but don't hear you.

I hope my spirit listens intently,

while I rejoice in this moment,

and savour it, walking side by side in white robes.

We have walked like this before, in white finery.

In a garden with roses and garlands full of purple, pink and yellow flowers enveloped in green leaves.

I focus my eyes on the current heavenly space.

I see a bookshelf filled with brown leather-bound books to your right.

I see no end to the rows of books.

I feel a longing to reach out behind you and let my fingers slide along the books.

Feel each one of them, and wonder about what treasures are hidden inside.

Giving in to the urge, I lean towards the books and let my fingers glide gently along their spines.

What stories are they hiding?

Your words penetrate my thoughts.

You have halted and turned your attention towards me.

I realize that you have spoken to me like an equal.

Brother to brother.

Your thoughts open my ears and I am puzzled by this;

that you are sharing them with me.

Shall I clear my throat and answer you?

Patiently you face me and wait.

Wait to hear my voice.

I open my mouth and out flows a song.

I do not hear it, but I see it shaping like a trail of honey.

I recognize it as a prayer.

A sigh from my heart.

You have sat down in front of me and write down every word in one of these leather-bound books.

So, it is the prayers of man they hold.

I want to cry from joy, but find myself doing tiny pirouettes instead.

I allow myself to be overwhelmed by this moment, when the Lord hears my prayer.

I let my robe-clothed hands fall, as the dance slows to a stop.

I see you speaking to the books and they spread wings and fly out across the heavenly space.

The choir of angels pick up some of them and sing the words.

Others are picked up by angels who bring the word to all the earth.

I watch how the prayers bring comfort and encouragement.

Your power is released.

The word creates what it is.

The prayer is heard.