All that matters is to be at one with the living God
to be a creature win the house of the God of Life.

Like a cat asleep on a chair
at peace, in peace
and at one with the master of the house, with the mistress,
at home, at home in the house of the living,
sleeping on the hearth, and yawning before the fire.

Sleeping on the hearth of the living world
yawning at home before the fire of life
feeling the presence of the living God
like a great reassurance
a deep calm in the heart
a presence as of the master sitting at the board
in his own and greater being,
in the house of life.

H. Lawrence (1885-1930) was an English novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic and painter. “His opinions earned him many enemies and he endured official persecution, censorship, and misrepresentation of his creative work.” Long time friend, Catherine Carswell, summed up his life and in response to his critics, she claimed:

In the face of formidable initial disadvantages and life-long delicacy, poverty that lasted for three quarters of his life and hostility that survives his death, he did nothing that he did not really want to do, and all that he most wanted to do he did. He went all over the world, he owned a ranch, he lived in the most beautiful corners of Europe, and met whom he wanted to meet and told them that they were wrong and he was right. He painted and made things, and sang, and rode. He wrote something like three dozen books, of which even the worst page dances with life that could be mistaken for no other man’s, while the best are admitted, even by those who hate him, to be unsurpassed.

Source: Wikipedia

Perhaps like many of you my familiarity with Lawrence stems his novel “Lady Chatterly’s Lover.” It wasn’t until a few years ago that I was fortunate enough to encounter his poetry and felt a kindred spirit.

I particularly like the image of the contented cat in Pax. I share my home with an aging kitty who recently reminded me of her advancing years, giving my heart a forewarning of her coming departure. One of the most endearing aspects of living with an animal is its deep simplicity of heart. Other than food and companionship they ask for so little.

If only our relationship with God would be as simple and profound. If only we could rest peacefully within our lives, knowing the Presence is always with us, reassured that all our needs are not only known but fulfilled. “Yawning at home before the fire of life,” may we feel peace.