Image taken by my son Ron at Algonquin Park
Spirit of forgiveness
Spirit of peace
Move over me
In a mighty sweep
##
My Mother
"The ground I stood on was near the bones of my mother.
I stood quietly.
Shaken to the core of my being, I wept.
Bowing my head before her grave, I prayed she had found peace.
She had led a harsh life.
There was no judgement in my heart
Only deep sadness for her and a recognition of our common humanity
Our common sin
What caused the circumstances in her life to be so hard that she could not raise us?
She had told my sister
"June and Freddie are ok"
Of course we were not ok
Then neither was she."
/Outside the Gate.
###
Forgiveness is the balm of peace
Quieting the soul when released
Bringing light
Dispelling the dark
Releasing me
From the bondage of self
Spirit of the gospel
The mighty sweep
Restoring me
To perfect peace
The sea of restlessness is stilled
The Spirit renews
The Spirit fills
Peace descends once again
When the Spirit inside me reigns
Spirit of the gospel
The mighty sweep
Restoring me
To perfect peace
Your correcting rod
Your guiding staff
Keeps me firmly on the path
When the way ahead is not clear
You light the path
You draw me near
Spirit of the gospel
The mighty sweep
Restoring me
To perfect peace
When my enemies strut and shout
When my heart is full of doubt
Your Spirit breaks through all the noise
Into my heart
I hear your voice
Spirit of the gospel
The mighty sweep
Restoring me to perfect peace
When people I love misunderstand
When I feel alone, he helps me stand
He lifts me up through the pain
Comforting me once again
Spirit of the gospel
The mighty sweep
Restoring me
To perfect peace
Forgiveness is the balm of peace
Quieting my soul in its release
Bringing light
Dispelling the dark
Releasing me
From the bondage of self
Spirit of the gospel
The mighty sweep
Restoring me
To perfect peace
/j.smith 2023
"Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?
Seven times?
No, not seven times," Jesus replied.
"Seventy times seven!"
Mathew 18: 21, 22 NLT
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