Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? I apologize for my lack of activity on The Deepening Ground recently. Over the last two weeks, I’ve spent little time nurturing my poetic soul. Rather I’ve finished the flooring in our addition, ripped sixteen foot boards with a friend for the trim, and finished work on my mother-in-law’s mother’s book (that I hope to have available in December as the first offering from The Deepening Ground Press; more on that in a future post!)
Instead of pulling something out of my archives, with my daughter’s permission, I want to share with you her gift to me for my birthday last month. She speaks my love language: poetry! While my sons have favored math, science, and economics, my daughter, Ethney, like me, loves literature and words! This sonnet pairs well with a song I wrote years ago on hearing my children’s exuberant voices at play beneath me as I worked on music in my bedroom (I’ve included it below after her sonnet). More importantly, this sonnet reminds us of the love of our Heavenly Father, whose perfect love knows no comparison.
May you enjoy these reminders of THE constant in the midst of so much change, a steady anchor amidst the shaking, and the One who spoke (and still speaks) “LET THERE BE LIGHT!” into the chaos and darkness!
A Father’s Love – Ethney R. I. Anastasi
How far is the reach of a Father’s love?
For how long will His ardent love endure?
He’s forgiven my sins because of love.
Through an unmarred lens, I see what is pure!
Inclined to my Father’s love, I proclaim
that with Him alone all things I can withstand.
I am chosen; He has called me by name.
I am safe, sheltered by His mighty right hand.
His love is enduring, unbreakable,
steadfast and true. He stands never shaken.
When He commands a thing done, it’s final.
He’s the rock which I stand on and depend.
His love never diminishes for me;
His love extends to all eternity!
the deepening ground 