God’s place

When our daughters were very young, 

Our Church met in a school, 

But had purchased some land not far away, 

On which they hoped someday to build. 

Occasionally the parishioners 

 Would head out to that wooded lot to worship, 

And for years afterwards, 

Whenever our oldest would come 

 To a clearing in the woods — anywhere — 

She would say, “This is God’s place, Mommy,” 

And even now, I hear the echo of her voice 

 When I walk into a clearing, 

 And I breathe a little deeper: 

This, too, is God’s place…