December 10, 2010

My Journey to God

Advent of Winter

Where do I look for God?
Do I look upward to the sky above?
Is He there in the ever-changing clouds?
Is it there that I find His love?

Do I look for God in the wind that blows?
Is He in the rustling of the fall foliage?
Do I seek His hand that colors autumn leaves?
Is He always present on nature’s stage?

Can God be in the animals that face winter?
Does His hand guide their preparations?
Does God open nature’s horn of plenty?
Are all creatures allowed their due portions?

Is God with farmers who harvest their crops?
Can I find Him in the cornfields and the grain?
Is God in the hay bales as they are stored in barns?
Do I find God in all who ready for winter’s quarantine?

Can God be found on majestic mountaintops?
Is His image reflected in the still lake water?
Is He among the flowers that bloom with quiet beauty?
Do I look for Him in nature’s expansive theater?

A quiet voice is heard inside the ear of my mind.
“Look for Me ever closer inside your heart.
“You will find Me always there first and foremost.
“Then look for the works of My hand.”

By Thomas J. Rillo

(Thomas J. Rillo is a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bloomington and is a Benedictine oblate of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad. Inspiration for this poem came from the advent of winter and God’s presence in it.) †

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