Faith rest

[I wrote this based on the submission theme "Faith" for a magazine, but I ultimately decided not to submit it. I remembered it a few days ago and thought I might as well post it here]

~~~~~~~

I believe

                 in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. . .

Five months ago, I sat under this same tree at the edge of the cemetery.

“Daddy! Daddy! I can’t get down!” the girl screamed.

Her bright red jacket matched the leaves falling from the trees,

but this leaf didn’t want to fall and was hanging on with all her life.

“DADDY!”

“How did you get there?” her father asked mirthfully, running to his crying daughter.

“Jump and I’ll catch you.”

The screaming wind carried her laughter to me as she smiled

and threw herself backwards off the playground.

Leaves swirled as he spun with her laughing in his arms.

. . .was crucified, died and was buried. . .

Now I stand under the leafless tree.

The playground is empty as I watch them

lower her casket into the snow-covered ground.

. . .The third day He rose again from the dead. . .

As I turn to leave, the wind blows the snow

and I see a white crocus against the revealed ground.

. . .the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

[March 14, 2014]