Barbara Benjamin Poet, Author, Leadership& Spiritual Retreat Leader |
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In "It Was You," a poem from Face to Face, Ms. Benjamin writes,
And I am not to blame That I looked everywhere for truth Before I knew Your name." Outside of her awareness, God continued to work in her life, through a turbulent, ecumenical childhood and a long, incompatible marriage, through six miscarriages, and through notable careers as a school district administrator, a business consultant, an executive mentor, an international speaker and retreat leader, a graduate school professor of organizational leadership, and an author. "Barbara Benjamin sings an involvement with life and inner spirit that is breathtaking," says renowned psychologist and author James M. McMahon. He continues: "Deceptively clear and straightforward she touches the deepest in us and around us in every poem. Whether in vivid descriptions of the physical world or the silent struggles within us, the beauty of her poems forces us to engage life and mystery." Slowly becoming aware of her attraction to God and the power of "His Abundant Love" in her life, Barbara asked God to wait with her, as she grew in spiritual consciousness of her calling--to seek the seekers and bring them closer. It took her twenty years to write her first volume of poetry, Through My Window, published in 1988. "It Was You" concludes,
That You know what to do With all the love I have to give, For that loves comes from You." Ms. Benjamin is also a talented and inspiring non-fiction writer. Scheduled for publication by Nepperhan Press in July 2010, her most recent book, The Joshua Priest, is an authorized faith biography of Father Joseph Girzone, author of the Joshua books. Since the publication of Joshua in 1983, countless millions of readers across the globe have found their faith transformed by "the good news" of Jesus’ unconditional compassion and love embodied in the writings of Joseph Francis Girzone, the Joshua Priest. Ms. Benjamin hopes that readers will find strength in discovering the deeply rooted faith and raw courage that, on critical occasions, saved the life of Fr. Joe and made his Joshua ministry possible, a faith that remained steadfast in the face of daunting personal crises and turbulent world events.
Joshua: A Parable for Today (1983) Joshua and The Children (1989) Joshua and The Shepherd (1990) Joshua in the Holy Land (1992) Joshua and the City (1995) Joshua: The Homecoming (1999) Joshua: The Journey Home (1997) The Parables of Joshua (2001) Joshua in a Troubled World (2005) Joshua’s Family (2007) Ms. Benjamin is immersed in writing her second book on leadership, Christ Conscious Leadership, slated for publication in early 2011. "The essence of effective leadership," she believes, "lies in our ability to see the world and the people in it as they really are and to embrace the world and the people in it as they really are. Jesus knows exactly who we are and loves and accepts us exactly as we are, even forgiving us our unconsciousness. It is with Christ conscious awareness and acceptance that we can begin to make a difference in the world." Ms. Benjamin also designed and directs a graduate distance learning program in leadership for the School of Business at Mercy College where she is an assistant professor and mentor. Ms. Benjamin’s other publications include Leadership in the Interactive Age: A Skills Development Workbook and the accompanying CDs, The Leadership Lecture Series; The Case Study: Storytelling in the Industrial Age and Beyond; and A Modern Prayer Guide to St. Teresa of Avila’s "Interior Castle." She also coauthored two cookbooks, The Lenten Kitchen and The Advent Kitchen, published by The Paulist Press. A woman of many skills, Ms. Benjamin is available for poetry readings - and for retreats on leadership or on spiritual growth and development. Selected Poems by Barbara Benjamin
They never told me it was You, And I am not to blame That I looked everywhere for truth Before I knew Your name. Inside the church, inside the home, Inside a parent’s heart, Inside new love’s seductive arms, Inside each brand new start. Inside the golden palace doors, Inside the great old books, I searched the faces of the world, The saintly and the crooks. I did the best that I could do - I had my love to give - I gave it to the things I knew, The places where I live. I gave it to the feeding crowds; I gave it to a few Who seems like they could take my love And know just what to do. I gave my love; I did my best; I did what I could do; Yet all I did I did without The joy of knowing You. Without the joy of being free, Without the truth of life, I went through roles, as I was told, A mother and a wife. A teacher and a poet, too, An artist and a friend, A counselor and executive: A list without an end. They never told me it was You, And so I went along And did my thing, and searched my soul, Not knowing what was wrong. Today, I know my life is You; I found out on my own; I found out as I stumbled past The empty roles I’ve known. Today I know it’s You I love, That You know what to do With all the love I have to give, For that love comes from You. --Barbara Benjamin © 2009 HAVE YOU EVER STOPPED AWHILE Have you ever stopped awhile and watched the winter bark changing colors: morning light, snow fall, high noon and dusk, painting each ridge and knot, each gnarled imperfection, each graceful growing limb, until by moonlight, you have witnessed every color of the rainbow, reflected in the stark bare dignity of trees. Have you ever stopped awhile and listened to the forest greeting winter: a plaintive crackling in the air, a submissive branch scratching the earth, yielding to an insistent howling wind, lest it snap and lose its life and be gathered up for kindling or raked away in early spring by the gardener into a careless pile of dead things. Have you ever stopped awhile and felt the frozen forest floor: the roots of life pushing deeper, ever deeper, into the vital streams below the line of frost; Above, the needle sharp air vibrating into every pore, demanding recognition and response. Have you ever stopped awhile.... -- By Barbara Benjamin ©2009 MOTHER OF SEVEN Mother of seven, Six I couldn’t keep: They went to heaven, In God’s house to sleep. The one who lives here, Borne by another, A blessing, a son, He calls me mother. In God’s precious love, My children all met, Tumbled and giggled, Told me not to fret. They played together-- So my son has told - He and the others: A blessing twofold. Whatever seems lost Returns in God’s light, Expanding our hearts To see with God’s sight. Mother of seven, The lesson is clear: My children are safe; I’ve nothing to fear. -- Barbara Benjamin © 2009 From Face to Face |
P. O. Box 1656 249 Old Stamford Road (for express deliveries) New Canaan, CT 06840 (800) 965-3347. FAX 203 966-6340 tbickley@optonline.net
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