2006-03-23T07:07:00.000-08:00

TRACERIES

Around one o’clock in the morning on December 18th, 1986, I had a distinct impression in my spirit to pray. As it grew stronger, I got out of bed. I went to the lounge and sat quietly on the couch. I experienced some measure of frustration, wondering what I should be praying about. There was nothing specific on my heart except for an unmistakable sense of need for prayer.

As I was sitting there quietly in the dark, the words came to me, “Lord, heal the traceries of my mind.” Then a little later on, “Lord, heal the traceries of my spirit.” After a few moments, I got up and turned the lights on to look for a dictionary, so that I could find the meaning of the word traceries. The various meanings given for the word were quite incredible. In the archaic form it is a term given to the intersecting ribwork in the upper part of a Gothic window. It also means any delicate interweaving of lines or threads, as in embroidery. It is also used to describe the delicate ribbing in an insect’s wing. (e.g., a butterfly)

As I sat and meditated on the significance of the word in light of the prayer that had been given to me relating to the mind and spirit, the implications were quite staggering. When damage has been done to part of the delicate work in a Gothic window, they don’t tear down the Cathedral - but some of the beauty and glory is diminished. If an insect’s wing is damaged it cannot soar freely in the air. When delicate interwoven lines are damaged, many important and essential connections on the conscious or unconscious level can be affected or disrupted. This is something only God can deal with.

The exciting and assuring thing is that He is at work within us even when we are unaware of His activity on a conscious level. The prayer had been given to me as a gift of understanding and encouragement even when I did not know how to pray. The experience gave a new depth of meaning to the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans when he said, “Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us…”

As I meditated on these things, the following poem came to birth….

Lord, heal the traceries of my mind and spirit

Unfathomed fears
Unfounded foes

Resistant
To the mind that knows
Naught
Of the deepest depths within
Where traceries are torn or thin
And sagging spirit scarce can rise
To soar above tormenting lies

Impinging with uncertainty
On heart hard-beating to be

The pathway down
Through conscious night
Defines an awesome trail of blight
With weathered winters of the soul
Where springing hopes
Denied their goal
Recede in silences and sighs
That punctuate exhausted cries

To One alone
Who sees and knows
How deep
His healing Spirit goes

© Duane W. Udd
18th Dec. 1986