Testimony

How do I know? From a thousand moments of peace, love and confirmation,
 in my heart and mind and bones. 
From a thousand little stars lighting up my life, 
From help in my distress, 
From the many times when there seems to be no way out, 
but finally I pray,
and am given strength to see again.
From the feeling of forgiveness that lifted an unseen load,
One I could not give myself.
From the glimpse of a person’s soul, of the love of Father and Son for them.

From hope and peace in midst of pain, 
From joy, laughter and light in mind and heart,
displacing fear and ignorance.
From loving-kindnesses in all my days,
Tender acts of mercy never-ceasing;
From gift of strength when I had none;
Gifts of knowledge, pure and sure,
From comfort, warm and peaceful,
From truth, searing and bright, that pierces and fills me all through.
From guidance, sure and steadfast, saying,
‘Go here,’ ‘peace, my child; only believe,’ ‘keep on,’ and ‘I am here.’

From prayers upon prayers, answered in just-right ways,
With more wisdom than ever I had known.
From patterns glimpsed amongst the seeming messiness of life; 
From all the things I cannot tell – 
For words will not contain the thousand, thousand little parts
That build and make a growing whole of knowing, feeling, and being
In me.