Life on Mission, 10/19/14 - Dan Pursley

Out and back,
the swing creaks,
feet pump -
up, up,
and
down, down:
the arc of giving.

Casting off
into space
takes hope -
one trusts the sweet air
and aims
for the clouds.
Suspended between
out and back,
earth patchworks below:
poverty warps,
crime weaves hardened
strands into hearts,
hope-starved souls
stare glassy-eyed
or strut
like comedians taking pratfalls
for cheap laughs.

We can go through motions
and play the part,
but still be
the wounded walking.

Compassion heals
but takes more
than pat answers
and dollar signs.
Pray.
Seek God's heart.
Pray in earnest
and complete the arc.

Out and back -
gravity does the second part
reliably.