the heartache
and
the weariness
and
the “to do” list
and
the brokenness
and
the starling with its beautiful iridescence tapping at our window, seeking a shelter from the winter wind
the frustration
and
the guilt
and
the fear
and
the news
and
the faraway line of white seagulls over the lake, dodging cold winter waves and then diving for their catch
the questions
and
the struggle
and
the fight
and
the disbelief
and
the hand-carved ship ready to set sail from my Christmas tree branch where it hangs, eager for adventure
the limitations
and
the grief
and
the longing
and
the disappointment
and
the short fat snowman rolled together on a bitterly cold day, because who can (or should) quell the determination of youth?
find us, most merciful God,
through the joys and the strains alike
with beauty so simple and good news so plain
that our heads are lifted and our tongues are loosened to sing.
on Psalm 27:5-6