What is you concept of God and heaven? A couple of years ago, I reflected on the concept of God that I was taught as a child; what the Bible taught us about God, and now, in my winter of life, what I think about those images and concepts. I saw this sign along the road a few years ago. This poem addresses more questions than answers. What do you visualize when you think of God?
At the end of the road when my life is done
what will I find will there be one…
who will meet me there at the pearly gates
with hands outstretched no need to wait?
Will he be tall, short, fat, or thin;
When he sees me will he break out with a grin?
*
Interesting to me how we fantasize
seeing God like us, as we rationalize…
Dreaming that descriptions of hands and face
describe a reality that has no race.
Metaphors become reality as we describe our God,
forgetting he is Spirit, and that would be odd;
For a Spirit has no shape, no hands to hold tight
Only a presence of the purest light.
*
So whether God is he she or it,
the God we meet will probably not fit
the idea we have in the back of our mind.
Won’t it be interesting what we will find
…at the end of the road?
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Love this! I’m certain God is there, but like you, Dwight, I have more questions than answers. If I get there first, I’ll let you know! 😜
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OK Send it on starlight!! I think it will most likely be the other way around! Thanks Jen
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I find it interesting that so many expound truth on what we know so little about!
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Yes… I agree with you about that. I suppose if the answers weren’t expressed as absolute truths, they wouldn’t comfort the people who are afraid of death. I much prefer not having an answer, that way death is like every day of life — just another of a series of moments when my task is to trust that God will be with me, come what may.
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I like your perspective on this Jen. One day at a time and we are in God’s hands come what may. That is the way I view the Covid-19 situation as well.
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I’m totally with you, Jen.
God makes more sense to me than a ‘Big Bang’ – but beyond that? I’ve had a lot of difficulty with continuing to pray after I finished going to shul for a year to recite kaddish… 😦
But somehow – writing about my religious struggle(s) feels like I’m reaching out to the Divine in my own way… so that’s felt very healthy for my soul 🙂
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Hi Ben. I’m sorry to hear about your loss, and I hope your memories of your relative are a blessing in your life!
Writing is definitely reaching, and in my experience it also allows us to receive. The Jewish people took the name Jacob received after his Struggle, so keep on struggling!! It’s a great way to connect!
Peace and blessings, jen
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Yeah – I’m very much into the symbolism behind “Israel”. 😀
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I understand. Practicing our religion with our faith is very meaningful.
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well said, Sir.
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Ben, I applaud your search for God through prayer. Perhaps prayer is more a conversation with God about our life than praying to or for a purpose beyond ourselves. As in life there is nothing better than a great dialogue with a friend. To me this is what prayer is all about!
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I like your take, Dwight 🙂
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Today’s poem is movingly poignant. The question is as old as mankind. I love the suggestion of ‘pure light’.
Thank you.
Joanna
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Thank you so much! Just something to think about….
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Joanna – you have a special ability to zero in on something beautiful in the text 🙂
Reading your comments to others is a pleasure in and of itself.
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Your poem brings to mind many, many late night conversations with my dad in his office at the head of the stairs as he tried to explain that God has no gender and is “other,” beyond the capability of human comprehension.
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It is great that you had a father who would listen and dialogue with you. It makes all the difference. We humans struggle with the unknow, so we often create our own!
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Yes, I tried to challenge Christian theology with logic, but he played the Divine Mysteries card every time–and I loved him for it.
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Your were blessed with a wise father.
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Yes, I was. He was a remarkable human being.
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The message in the poem fit the barn picture so perfectly. What is at the rmd of the road is a question we ponder in the winter of life. We’ll only get the answer to this mystery when we cross to the other side.
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Yes, I believe you are right about that! We can only speculate at this point. When spirit joins Spirit, then we will know.
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I’ve always more questions than answer… I suppose I define my path “as a finite in the infinite”
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That is an good way to put it. Finite in the infinite is very much what we are it seems.
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When I come up with a better to my questions, I’ll let you know Dwight…
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OK Ivor, I will be waiting! :>)
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Yeah, I can be excited of what lies ahead this life on earth ❣
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Pingback: At the end of the road – Re-theologizing
I go with the Spirit
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Yes, I agree! And, very interesting to think about! Thanks Derrick!
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wonderful poem of more questions, than answers Dwight, on the back 9, I’m happy to be here, no longer wondering and looking toward the light here or there wherever that may be. Hey, I may be doing a poem for my Fun Friday Post and wondered if I could add you into it with your site, if you are ok with it if I do?
Let me know,,.,. either way is ok -:) ❤️ Cindy
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Thanks Cindy. Lots of questions to ponder…
I will see what I can do.
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indeed.. I wrote the poem so no need for you to write… I’m just using your name.. does that make sense?
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I misread your question. Yes that is fine to refer to my site any time. I thought you were asking me to reblog your post. I rarely do that.
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Oh awesome, thanks. Oh my I rarely do that as well. Don’t get too excited it’s just a mention of your name But hey, it may send some readers your way which is always fun
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That is no problem at all. Thank you Cindy!
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Awesome.. look for the mention tomorrow in my Fri-Yay Fun Day tomorrow-:) ❤️
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Phew. A powerful poem of wonder. Well done, Dwight. 🙂
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Thank Jeff. Lots of questions in a world full of answers!!
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Agreed. 🙂
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Really love this piece and the topic for sure!! After taking in more viewpoints over a lifetime of the 360 to choose from, the one I’m most happy with is the Father in the parable of the Prodigal Son!! That’s the one that makes me the happiest and hopeful. Have a great day Dwight!
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Yes, Grace personified! Thanks Chuck.
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Yes, That’s my view! 😁✨✨👍
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