Looking back on themes covered in the first eight months of this year and looking ahead to 2019’s remaining weeks, I want to usher in this final, dual focus of receiving blessings to be a blessing with a new poem. I hope it will encourage you today.

Before and Behind (a poem of gratitude)

I couldn’t be blessed until

I knew I was loved. Really

Loved

For who I was and am

(And will be).

Then, the patches on my soul

Were sown, tight

And the reserve of that love

Filled me to overflowing.

I couldn’t be blessed until

I knew I was known. Really

Known

For who I was and am

(And will be).

Then, the scars laced ‘cross my soul

Were soothed, smooth

Because the love had not evaporated

With the knowing.

I couldn’t be blessed until

I knew I was seen. Really

Seen

For who I was and am

(And will be).

Then, dormant seeds inside my soul

Were awakened, green

To sprout as they were

Always meant to.

I couldn’t be blessed until

I knew I was heard. Really

Heard

For who I was and am

(And will be).

Then, a melody surrounding my soul

Was absorbed, sweet

With acceptance of that clear

And ancient truth.

No, I couldn’t be blessed until all these things

Finally occurred to the soul of me.

Then, with eyes open wider, in the echoing song,

I saw I had been being blessed all along.