Belief in the Far Reaches for Wanda J. Marshall Jenkins In midsummer 1969, my parents let me stay up late to watch the Apollo 11 moon landing and that “one small step,” that “one giant leap.” The subject came up soon enough weeks later among us fifth graders...
Interview With a Sycamore J. Marshall Jenkins If the young sycamore, so open-armed in my yard, could answer, I would ask, “Do you yearn to reach higher, wider, spring greener with more leaves? In the fall, will you strive for color? In winter, will you strain strong...
Shell Work J. Marshall Jenkins From dark clouds built high on the horizon and breakers marching just below it at low tide, shells inevitably call your gaze down and near between crab holes and a jellyfish beached amid foam. The moon allows brief visits here....
Because He Meets Us In Trials J. Marshall Jenkins This restlessness to rest in God: Many set out with Wordsworth and take it to woods and fields green hazed yellow with daisies, birds a choir in flight. God is there, no doubt. However, such wandering retreats only...
After Disillusionment J. Marshall Jenkins Hagar said, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?” (Genesis 16:13b). Life mercifully disillusions you in increments: Mother forgets to hug or hear. Playmates shame or exclude just to see you cry. Grades...
After Illness J. Marshall Jenkins Recovered, more or less, still a bit tired, remembering the illness, the drain, dis-ease, grayness darkening, hope dimming, restless rest, wondering now how it came, how to fend it off better next time. Meanwhile, it takes perhaps a...
What Is the World? J. Marshall Jenkins He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him (John 1:10). What is the world? “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” my writer’s conscience protests, “Do not write about that abstraction. Turn...
Stubborn Grace J. Marshall Jenkins In my hurry, I plead with her, but stubborn grace will not quicken her pace. In my rush, I overshoot. In my grasp, I overreach. I arrive ahead of time at a house where someone I thought I was can call home, but not me. I gather and...
Little Child, Run J. Marshall Jenkins Feel fresh power in your thighs. Gallop into the wind, then circle and ride it. Plunge your hair into God’s breath. Let earth accompany the melody of your springing feet. Others will try to make it a race, tailing you and...
Together, Unawares J. Marshall Jenkins Go to a crowded place, say, an airport terminal, a stadium at game time, or a shopping mall in December. Let the cacophony gather, rise like smoke, and leave your one heart beating with others, your eyes among matchless faces...
By Mercy J. Marshall Jenkins Only by mercy do the merciless live another day, and only by mercy does another day come at all. By mercy the rainbow drapes every color over battlefields, and a young sycamore etches spring growth in winter sky. By mercy mortals play at...
Good, In Other Words J. Marshall Jenkins Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Mt 5:6). He wanted to do something good, the meaning of which he worked and reworked with improvising mind and earnest heart, with feet and...