Poetry from the Cabin 02/19/2024

Inspired by Chapter 9 of Eugene Peterson’s
Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places

Prayers are tools, not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.
—Eugene Peterson

Our prayers establish continuity
With Christ—the life He lived and Spirit breathes.
It’s not to stroke our curiosity—
It’s time to wait and grow as fruitful trees.

My Lord, He says, “Dear son, just wait with me.”
I bow my head and start by asking, “When
Will Your kingdom come?” I pray impatiently,
Frustrated, bored, each day I pray again.

It’s in the habit I begin to learn,
And see there’s beauty in the waiting.
My knees spout roots into a great cistern—
In kingdom life I am participating.

Daily, waiting, with Him, sharing, in Him,
Planted is a fruitful tree of heaven.

Bibliography (Chicago Style)

Peterson, Eugene H. Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2005.
(Inspiration for the theme and quote in the poem.)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016.
(For biblical allusions to waiting, abiding, and being rooted—see Psalm 1:1–3; John 15:1–5; Romans 8:25.)