Isolated islands,
we dig deeper moats
the closer we crowd
together.
Shields up,
walled into class cubes,
we feel
no touch
upon our needy skin.
We are the lonely.
Reaching out
short circuits
when fitting in boxes
is required
and claustrophobic
corsets misshape our souls.
We are the lonely.
Created to fit together,
we long for the other
to warm and weather gales with -
a forest stands
long after the lone tree falls.
Hustling about our busy way,
we gloss and ice over
interactions,
skimming the surface
and avoiding deep dives
at all cost.
Celebrated strong and silent
types are one-dimensional
facades,
made simpler to maintain
by selfies posted
in various poses
suggesting
intimacy.
Curling inward
is instinctive
when wounded,
but becomes a
deformity when
maintained.
Hold out a hand,
open a door -
expect to receive a gift
with whoever
walks in.
Require no dress code
or masks -
let us see your mess
and imperfect attempts
to follow Christ.
Perfectly polished
performances
push connections
aside.
Look up and out.
Choose to be open
to whoever the wind
of God
blows in.
We are the lonely.
We are the thousands
who walk alone
in your midst.
Look around.
See us.
Invite us in.
We worry and
we fret,
it's just something
we do.
We open the door
to this poison -
odorless and colorless,
it creeps across
thresholds
and into our very blood.
Doing battle
means
a bit of boot camp:
disciplined action
and mental grit
while sending sighing
prayers heavenward.
Grab hold of a
grounding stone
and breathe -
in, then out.
Body, soul and spirit
function together,
gears mesh or clog
as each is oiled
or filled with gunk.
Find an ear to speak into -
a trusted soul to hear.
Into the worry pools
and eddies,
God's presence exists.
Learn to see Him
in the dark;
reach out your fumbling,
stumbling hand
to find His there.
Though He may not seem
to speak,
He is there.
And that "there" is more solid
and actual
than the storm that rages
around and through you.
Let the God of comfort
hold you
as you tremble.
Let the Father
of compassion
feel your anguish,
take it,
mold it
and
continue the good work
He began.
Trust His faithfulness
to see you through.
We are weak
yet He does not flee.
We lack trust
yet He remains faithful.
We worry.
We fret.
It's who we are.
He cares.
He shows up.
It's who He is.
Gadgets galore
chitter and glitter,
bling, bling -
give me more!
Double-edged swords:
potential soul suckers
and awesome achievements
each and all.
Designed to meet needs
we never knew we had
until
we can't exist
without them.
Juggling chainsaws
might be safer
than navigating
smart phones today.
Dynamite in your pocket -
handle with care.
Sacred minutes are
limited things -
golden coins
to spend
or waste.
Oh, the treasure chest
a day is!
This gift
is ours to invest
or ingest
but are we free
to choose
or pulled by strings
tied on to gadgets
by merchandisers
devoted to devouring
our golden minutes
one by precious
one.
Beware, beware -
all that glitters
and chitters
and pulls and pulls
is not gold,
and ultimately
can never satisfy
since its very purpose
is to produce
craving
and therefore
chains.
Handle
with care,
inherent danger
is everywhere.
What an astonishing world
You have made!
And into the midst of
this masterpiece,
You crowned us
as almost angels
to serve
the multitudinous
life forms
that crawl and crab,
stalk and soar;
herbage that blossoms
with bud and thorn,
bristle and leaf;
surfaces diverse with
granite and glacier,
sand and seas,
mud and marsh.
Let me not forget
to wonder
at fern fronds.
In the eyes
and on the lips
of babes
dance the mysteries
of myriad
universes;
skies star-freckled
or cloud-castled
invite inquiry
and inspire imagination.
Look and see.
Listen and hear.
Pause and ponder.
Clean the windows
of your soul -
scrub away the
clouds of cynicism;
learn to laugh with
delight again
at the hard k's in
the word "skunk";
tremble with anticipation
at a raindrop's slow
path down the window pane -
gaze out at
the world in wonder
and
worship.
What an astonishing world
You have made!
