Day 26: My Secret Heart

Secret Heart © Jan L. Richardson

You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

—Psalm 51.6

From a lectionary reading for Lent 5: Psalm 51.1-12

Reflection for Thursday, March 22 (Day 26 of Lent)

Not just in my heart
but in the secret space
it holds.

In the heart of my heart.
In the place where I am myself.
In the space that I protect the most
and share the least.

In the hidden chamber
that I sometimes close off
even from myself.

In the realm
where you wait
and watch,
where you see each thing
that lies in shadow,
where you know the names
of all that makes its home
in me.

Here
in my secret heart;
here
teach me to move
with your wisdom,
to open the doors
that will draw me deeper still,
to live in the truth
that you desire;
here
let me open
the windows wide
so that those who pass by
will see you
looking out.

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3 Responses to “Day 26: My Secret Heart”

  1. Maureen Says:

    Lovely poem, Jan.

  2. Judy Segstro Says:

    This is a touch of beauty to me. I have shared it with a few people who think the same. Personally I have been working on exactly this….gaining the courage to go to those deep places and realize what’s there, and then to share it.
    Very grateful for how this poem touched me right where I find myself.
    Thank-you.

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