Wednesday, December 01, 2010

frazzled (Matthew 3:1-12)

so frayed, so frazzled,
so harried, so hassled . . .

it's so hard to get prepared:
just when we think every present is bought,
and unexpected one arrives and,
of course, we have to go out
to buy one for that person;
as we gaze at the outside lights
that have been hung and arranged
(so lovingly, so carefully),
a strand goes out,
and so another trip to the store;

we know the way to the malls so well
we could drive there with our eyes closed
(and probably do sometimes!);
the path to the post office is well worn
from all the trips to mail parcels,
to get more stamps.

Christmas Day draws nearer and nearer
and the activity level increases
(as does our stress);
the days grow shorter and shorter
(since we obviously don't have
enough hours in each one
to get everything done!).

so frayed, so frazzled,
so harried, so hassled,
we might not hear the voice
calling to us:
'prepare the way, the Lord is coming!
his path will lead you
straight
to the kingdom.'

open our ears, Lord, open our ears.

(c) Thom M. Shuman



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