Spiritual awakening
often happens in
sputters and spurts
we do not awaken
all at once
there is a lot to process
our eyes need time to adjust
as we turn
away from the darkness
of who we are
toward the light
of who God needs us to be
SPIRITUAL SPUTTERS
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
God does not
protect us from pain
grief or heartache
that was never the promise
of a spiritual life
if we are on a spiritual path
we will feel all of these things
and more
the promise is that
if they bring us closer to God
make us stronger in faith
and more useful in service to others
our troubles have meaning
in this way
we come to discover
that our difficulties
are actually for us
not against us
SUFFERING WITH MEANING
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
We are imperfect vessels
of God’s perfect love
cracked
and broken
unable to contain
that which is so freely poured into us
from the limitless source
of all that is
was
and ever will be
we remain unsatisfied
and yet He never ceases
giving Himself to us
asking only that we receive Him
and give unto others
in kind
BROKEN VESSELS
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
If you want to find your purpose
Start with your pain
Reflect on how you healed from it
And how you can help others
To heal as well
In this way
Your pain is a gateway to service
In service you will find purpose
PURPOSE IN PAIN
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
You do not have to try to fix everything.
Nor are you asked to.
Sometimes you are called to simply hear what is being said.
Sometimes you are called to witness what is taking place.
Sometimes you are merely asked to be a shoulder to be leaned upon.
You are not here to fix the world, but to be in the world with love.
Sometimes your loving presence alone is enough.
CALLED TO LOVE
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
Meditations on God 