the innkeeper (John 14:1-14)

pregnant
      with all our
   unborn worries, fears
         and doubts,
      we show up
      at your doorstep
   (no place else to go)
            and you
         throw open the
              door,
      exclaiming, 'come
         in out of the
            qualms!'

hungering
      for that hope
         which is priced
         way beyond our means,
   we stand by the
              bin behind
           your restaturant,
         waiting for darkness
               to fall so we
               can search for
      some scraps, and you
      beckon us from the
         kitchen door, saying,
   'we've got a big pot
      of grace that's just
      going to waste.  Come
      in and have as much
      as you need.'

weary-footed,
         dusty from the
      long journey through
            life, we close
               our eyes, feeling
         our hearts taking their
            last beat,
                  and we awaken
      in a sun-filled room,
      clean pajamaed, between
         fresh sheets and
            you
                  smiling down
                  at us,
  whispering, 'get up, sleepyhead.
      everybody's waiting
      to see you
            downstairs.'

(c) 2014 Thom M. Shuman