Artist of Heaven and Earth: A Plea

O God, Artist of the Heaven and Earth,

who paints within hearts

and brushes up against us

at stoplights and on corners

and in books and songs.

If we could but perceive

the depths of attention

you give us, even as we

walk past the old house

or float in the waters,

if we could but hear

your voice each time you speak,

perhaps we would be

more adept at

speaking like you.

Teach us to hear

and see and feel and notice

you

in the quiet corners of life

and the loud ones, too.

Ready our hearts, Lord,

to be perceptive

so that we don’t miss you

in both your simplicity

and complexity.

Amen.