Two Boxes

 

 

I have in my hands two boxes
which God gave me to hold.
He said, “Put all your sorrows in the black
and all your joys in the gold."

 

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
both my joys and sorrows I store
but though the gold became heavier each day
the black was as light as before.

 

With curiosity I opened the black
I wanted to find out why
and I saw in the base of the box a hole
which my sorrows had fallen out by.

 

I showed the hole to God, and mused aloud,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be?"
He smiled a gentle smile at me,
"My child they’re all here with me."

 

I asked, “God, why give me the boxes,
why the gold and black with the hole?”
“My child the gold is for you to count your blessings,
the black is for you to let go.”

 

- Contributed by LMMyers

 

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 20:7



The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meaness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whomever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Jalal ad-Din Rumi 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16