Lenten Roses

Holy Mother of the Tumbleweed of powerful wildebeest migration, of itchy feet, You see me as I ache to move yet resist You the same. You know my instincts, like You guide monarchs with your magnetic pull, and You urge the Ridley sea turtles to their nests on warm ocean currents. Understand my resistance to Your call-- when my fearful feet push against the mud making gaping tracks, when I choose to close up and protect myself from newness and change. Help me unfold myself to your call. Let me see the new horizon and the lessons written squarely on it. Allow me to settle my ego anxiety and trust the mystery of travel, of movement, of change, as purposeful, guiding lessons as I learn to choose fearlessness on Your safe, undulating, mysterious path.

Mother of Soothing Souls, balm to my aching heart, pillow to my exhaustion, cool stream to my hot cheeks. You are here to remind me of my tenderness, to tell me I'm loved, to praise me when I'm taking time to rest, revive, recharge. You caution me against the ego's burden, You lift it from my soul, featherlight, and place it on my psychic river. We watch it be lifted by the rippling waves and slowly slide into the distance. I'm left burdenless, in your arms, reminded that I'm warm and safe, and You, ever-present, here, with me.

O Great Destructor, Creator of Chasms of gigantic breaches of crust and mantle, the gaping mouth out of which searing lava flows, I lay down at your Power. Hear my voice above your thunderclaps, understand my fear beyond your floods. Give me the patience to wait for your tortuous tornados to pass, and help me understand my desire to quench Your arid famine thirst, to calm Your rampant Ebola rage. Allow me to be present to your power and not become despondent my helplessness and pain. Mother Power, Your labor pains are heard. Let me understand your language, to trust your Voice, to respect You, and lest I become a raging river of chaos and destruction, let me understand.

Holy Mother Creator of neutrinos and universes, of snowflakes, of softly bowing cotton fields, of knowing jellyfish eyes and of crushing black holes, You begin out of darkness and rebirth yourself in every breath I take. You are shiny and worn, ancient and fresh. You are Abundance, above and beyond all measure. Infinity cannot contain you. My human limitations keep me from seeing you, Mother, allow my heart to open to your generosity and beauty. Saturate my wounds with your love balm; satisfy my thirst for kindness to myself. Help me see the world provided: full of endless fruit. Let me put down my shields, swords and blinders that block me from myself. Remind me with your gorgeous bounty to finally, finally, lay down my fighting ways. Allow me to trust in you, Mother of Abundance, and rest in you always.