Not Alone

Jesus said, "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.

"You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?" John 5:30-47

Not Alone

I come from  a powerfully long line
feisty and laughing Native women
who have looked death in the eye
and said I am not finished yet.

My mother's ancient deep black eyes
her face worn and wrinkled but proud
looks at the years gathering round
and tell us she is truly blessed.

There is testimony from the walls
that speak of ancient wounds and betrayal
and yet which resound with thriving
despite the world's worst storms.

My mother and her house are one
she leans more as she walks her floors
touching memories made over thousands of days
a echo chamber of love lived large,

We are not alone in our decisions or actions
each one sends signals to the coming generations
laughter lingers after all the condemnation dies
and love delights in each new day.