Call to Oneself

To mistake the beautiful as illusion

To believe the prayers and wisdom are fallacy

To count the compliments and the promises as false claims --

as if you are undeserving --

is to dishonor God's glory and the purpose set in place for you.

From what do you run?

Force open your blind eyes

to that sky surrounding you with many incandescent souls.

For their brilliance is fastened steady,

illuminating your path and your place,

reflecting what they see in you

and needing it in return.

Raise the sunken shoulders.

Stand tall, have presence

and run towards, not from, the possibilities, the promises given.

Look back into the others' eyes and smile again!

They wait, wishing -- needing -- hopefulness and joy to return.

The time is now.

Time to give to yourself what you give the world --

that unconditional and nonjudgmental promise,

that acceptance,

that undeniable belief that you, like the others, are beautifully made

despite all glorious imperfections.

Hold tight, Catherine.

Though it does not feel comfortable or usual,

nurture and believe in this fellowship, this love --

a gift,

an extension of faith

that is neither casual or a simple placation.

Take it in, feel its weight

even if suffocating at first.

Time will prove its comfort and sustenance.

Do not wait,

do not will it away!

Do not be blind and do not devalue.

Your will, your effort is necessary

Expected

and the time is now.

For what you seek, what you pray for

stands clearly before you, given to you

ready to be claimed.