I delight to come to my bearingsnot walk in procession with pomp and parade in a conspicuous place but to walk even with the Builder of the universe if I maynot to live in this restless nervous bustling trivial Nineteenth Century but stand or sit thoughtfully while it goes by. What are men celebrating They are all on a committee of arrangements and hourly expect a speech from somebody. God is only the president of the day and Webster is his orator. I love to weigh to settle to gravitate toward that which most strongly and rightfully attracts menot hang by the beam of the scale and try to weigh lessnot suppose a case but take the case that is

All stories are in some form prayers.

I still find my corrupt heart longing for tomorrows bread. I can make a good argument to the Lord about how effective I can be if He would supply me with enough advance funds. Its a little frightening to pray for TODAYs bread. That means I must pray again for tomorrow and believe again for tomorrow. My greedy heart is willing to be corrupted by a little bit of riches so that I see my warehouse full of loaves. I can make a good argument about how God wont have to be bothered with me every day if He would only advance me about ten years worth of bread.

On faiths battered back calm eyes etch prayers that cool a nations hot rage.

The secret of seeing is then the pearl of great price. If I thought he could teach me to find it and keep it forever I would stagger barefoot across a hundred deserts after any lunatic at all. But although the pearl may be found it may not be sought. The literature of illumination reveals this above all although it comes to those who wait for it it is always even to the most practiced and adept a gift and a total surprise. I return from one walk knowing where the killdeer nests in the field by the creek and the hour the laurel blooms. I return form the same walk a day later scarcely knowing my own name. Litanies hum in my ears my tongue flaps in my mouth. Ailinon alleluia

Dont panic. Midway through writing a novel I have regularly experienced moments of bowel-curdling terror as I contemplate the drivel on the screen before me and see beyond it in quick succession the derisive reviews the friends embarrassment the failing career the dwindling income the repossessed house the divorce . . . Working doggedly on through crises like these however has always got me there in the end. Leaving the desk for a while can help. Talking the problem through can help me recall what I was trying to achieve before I got stuck. Going for a long walk almost always gets me thinking about my manuscript in a slightly new way. And if all else fails theres prayer. St Francis de Sales the patron saint of writers has often helped me out in a crisis. If you want to spread your net more widely you could try appealing to Calliope the muse of epic poetry too.

Or I would be the rain itself wreathing over the island mingling in the quiet of moist places filling its pores with its saturated breaths. And I would be the wind whispering through the tangled woods running airy fingers over the islands face tingling in the chill of concealed places sighing secrets in the dawn. And I would be the light flinging over the island covering it with flash and shadow shining on rocks and pools softening to a touch in the glow of dusk. If I were the rain and wind and light I would encircle the island like the sky surrounding earth flood through it like a heart driven pulse shine from inside it like a star in flames burn away to blackness in the closed eyes of its night. There are so many ways I could love this island if I were the rain.

That wish - that prayer - both men and women would have scorned me for - But Father Thou wilt not despise I said and felt that it was true.

Through dreams God awakened me through prayers God directed me.

...aconsejara yo a los que tienen oracin en especial al principio procuren amistad y trato con otras personas que traten de lo mismo. Es cosa importantsima aunque no sea sino ayudarse unos a otros con sus oraciones cunto ms que hay muchas ms ganancias Y no s yo por qu no se ha de permitir que quien comenzare de veras a amar a Dios y a servirle deje de tratar con algunas personas sus placeres y trabajos que de todo tienen los que tienen oracin.