The Image for God that shall not be named

thanks be to God
for

Paul Kliewer

who cared enough to nurture

who spend the time

as father's often do

to teach me to fish

who take me hunting (whether I wanted to go or not)

and teach me to drive

thanks be to God

for a man whose big hands

struggled with small stamps

so he could have a hobby to do with his son

thanks be to God 

for hikes through the sage brush

for long trips in the car

to far away places

thanks be to God

for a quick smile

and genuine laughter

for a love of rocks (yes rocks)

my father was a good dad

not a perfect dad

all of us who have been fathers know how impossible that is

but he loved his children

and he lived his love

and I am thankful

and thankful too that my father's love

gave me a glimpse

of that big, giving, teaching, side of the Sacred

 I know not all children were so lucky

I know there are men out there

who were not there for their children

I know there are men out there who hurt their children

abused them

betrayed them

there are men out there who make the image of 

FATHER

something horrible and painful

one that does not work

as an image for a loving God

and so O God

I not only give thanks

but I ask for healing  

I ask that you touch those

whose were wounded

touch them with your

strong

nurturing love

that is both masculine 

and feminine

with that love

that is so

complete