Over the years I’ve collected numerous poems I’ve written as part of a practice of writing a daily email devotion, Ruminations and Reflections. In rummaging through the dusty archives in search of the poems for this collection, I found a fairly common thread. And not surprisingly, the thread revealed something of the theology and heart of the poet that prances inside this pastor’s heart.

There are some basic truths to which I dearly cling. I believe God is present in the simplest of things, in life’s ordinary moments, people and places. I believe holy ground happens wherever and whenever God make’s God’s presence known, which means that holy ground abounds! The key for me and for you, is having eyes to see and ears to hear. Though ultimately our ability to catch a glimpse or whiff of heaven is dependent upon God, I do believe the good Lord often provides us with fellow sojourners to help us find our way. That’s where poetry comes in.

Poetry often speaks to the heart in ways that prose cannot. I don’t understand nor can I explain it. I have no verifiable facts to back up my claim. Poetry can delight and disturb. Carefully chosen words are like pliable clay in the hands of the potter-poet. And though I will carefully stop short of elevating myself to the status of poet, I do affirm that I bring a love of poetry to my pastoral work. Thus, what you now hold in your hands.

Through the years I’ve envisioned sitting beside God on a park bench. In my imagination, there is no need for words in that moment. I’ve often reflected that being in the presence of God would be sufficient. No revelation needed. Just sitting with the Divine Presence. Perhaps that’s why park benches have sometimes opened my heart more fully to holy encounters. I wrestled with the silence of God while discerning my call to licensed and ordained ministry on park benches. I’ve studied theology on park benches. I’ve prayed on park benches. And sometimes while passing by a park bench I’ve been reminded of my soul’s deep yearning to simply sit with God for awhile.

I hope some of these poems have meaning for you. I suspect that even a casual reading will reveal that some came from deeper places, while some were clearly discovered splashing around in more shallow waters. Some are serious, some are playful, hopefully all are hopeful, faithful to God and true to what it means to be human. And I truly hope that you will find something here that will bring a smile to your face, cause to you pause and ponder, and hopefully deepen your curiosity about life and enliven your faith.

Whatever you experience as you travel through these humble pages, please know I’m grateful for the investment of your time and energy. Thank you for joining me in the journey, and for allowing this pilgrim pastor to be your traveling companion for a spell.

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Rev. Dr. Randy Lucas is an Ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church. After a career in radio broadcasting, he has pastored United Methodist Congregations in the Western North Carolina Conference for more than 3 decades. Along with Kathy, his wife of 46 years, they have two outstanding adult sons and one delightful granddaughter. A proud shareholder and avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, he and Kathy reside in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina where he serves as Senior Pastor of Highlands United Methodist Church.