“I have long considered the creative impulse to be a visit-a thing of grace, perhaps. Not commanded, owned, so much as awaited, prepared for. A thing, also, of mystery.”

“I can see lights in the distance trembling in the dark cloak of nightCandles and lanterns are dancing, dancing a waltz on All Souls Night.”

“Stars were falling deep in the darknessas prayers rose softly, petals at dawnAnd as I listened, your voice seemed so clearso calmly you were calling your godSomewhere the sun rose, o'er dunes in the desertsuch was the stillness, I ne'er felt beforeWas this the question, pulling, pulling, pulling youin your heart, in your soul, did you find rest there?Elsewhere a snowfall, the first in the wintercovered the ground as the bells filled the airYou in your robes sang, calling, calling, calling himin your heart, in your soul, did you find peace there?”

“In that way the long-awaited visit, for which both had prepared questions and had even anticipated answers, was once more the usual everyday conversation.”

“Now this is a mystery to a carnal heart. They can see no such thing; perhaps they think God loves them when he prospers them and makes them rich, but they think God loves them not when he afflicts them. That is a mystery, but grace instructs men in that mystery, grace enables men to see love in the very frown of God's face, and so come to receive contentment.”

“Other things awaited. It was good to be young and to know it for once. So much unfolding to do.”

“My Heart Is a Holy PlaceMy heart is a holy placeWiser and holier than I know it to beWiser than my lips can speakA spring of mystery and grace.You have created my heartAnd have filled it with things of wonder.You have sculpted it, shaped it with your handsTouched it with your breath.In its own season it reveals itself to me.It shows me rivers of goldFlowing in eleganceAnd hidden paths of infinite beauty.You touch me with your stillness as I await its time.You have made it a dwelling place of richness and intricaciesOf wisdom beyond my understandingOf grace and mysteries, from your hands.”