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Warmth that caresses my soul
when troubles come
then slowly go
a gentle breeze
through the leaves
that are my soul
My Father’s hand is in control.
How calm the hand,
my Father’s hand
and scars I see
on these palms
of Jesus, Saviour
I see He bled for me.
That same hand
so tender, caring
holds me lovingly
but firmly, quietly
in true peace that teaches skillfully
…and quietness I finally learn.
anthony forrest
“What this?
“You have drugs?
“Is for party?!”
We had heard this and other inquiries like it for several minutes now. All around us, heavily armed soldiers stared at us, unmoved. We had been in Jerusalem for only a couple of days and it seemed that we were already in trouble.
Please understand this: Israel is safe to visit. The news publishes the exception, not the rule. That being said, bad things happen, terrorists attack, and the middle east constantly wallows in unrest and tiresome Status Quo. While we boarded our flight to Tel Aviv, a commotion caught our attention outside the aircraft. Several police cars and fire trucks congregated between our plane and another. After a 45-minute delay, the pilot announced that we would be under way shortly. Upon arriving in Israel, our friends met us with wide eyes and concerned looks. Our flight had been the target of a bomb threat. Later that day, a terrorist in Tel Aviv stabbed and killed 9 people on a bus.
And now here I stood at the Western Wall, trying to explain to the small army of Israeli soldiers that the small clear bag of Tums in my wife’s purse was not actually illegal drugs. After they we entirely satisfied that we were not starting a drug distribution ring at one of the world’s most important religious sites, we were escorted through the gate.
Men and women are separated here. Men must have their heads covered and never turn their back on the Wall. Women must have their arms, legs, and heads covered. The name of the game is respect. With our respective head coverings, my wife went to the right side of the gate and I went to the left.
After all of the intense security and unsafe occurrences, my heart pounded even harder at the peace that stood in front of me: an ancient, 62-foot-tall, limestone wall. Small slips of paper inhabited every crevasse of the old stones. Each slip had a prayer for something—most of them for peace.
And I shouldn’t be surprised.
This is Israel.
The land of war.
The land of peace.
anthony forrest
Unearth daily treasures
And unearth hopeful joy
Chip away at tomorrow’s sorrows
Serenity employ
Unearth the backward war
Seeds of trouble un-sow
Seek not strife and mischief
Un-fight friend and foe
Unearth something different
New and not imperfect
Unearth daily treasures
And unearth hopeful joy
anthony forrest
The fog lifted and the clouds drifted away, revealing a warm sun. I at the edge of a duck-infested fountain. The day had been filled with perfect clichés—cobbled streets, old cathedrals, and romantic statues. A perfect Paris day.
Hearing the bells at Notre Dame had meant more to me than I’d thought it would. There was something haunting about the ever-looming tower, protected by the watchful eyes of Gargoyles. The bells sang out and rang the hour—warm and mysterious.
I now relaxed at a fountain near the Louvre, eating a croissant and feeding the little birds directly from my hand.
A screaming 20-something cut though the ambiance. She walked aggressively up to her presumed boyfriend and began shouting in French. They argued loudly for a while.
My birds flew away.
The guy on the receiving end of this balling suddenly exploded. He picked up a metal chair and hurled it into the water.
My birds flew further away.
She was apparently part of a group. Her comrades beckoned her to give up the violent debate and move on. Before they left, a couple of guys did try to retrieve the chair. A kind gesture in a dark moment. But they eventually gave up.
No matter where you are or what beauty surrounds you, there will always be somebody screaming and throwing chairs into fountains. It’s human nature to ruin the good things, ruin peace.
But the angry girl and her angrier boyfriend eventually left. Heads and conversations returned to their previous state.
And even my birds came back.
anthony forrest
My feet from under cover
Step with a new day
In the warmth of sunrise hope
Seeking a sunset peace
anthony forrest
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