Me: I see you are getting ready for Christmas!

Prodigal: Yes, the decorations have come out.

Me: May this help you along your way.

Lord of reality

make me real

not plastic

synthetic

pretend phony

an actor playing out his part

hypocrite.

I don’t want

to keep a prayer list

but to pray

nor agonize to find Your will

but to obey

what I already know

to argue

theories of inspiration

but submit to Your Word.

I don’t want

to explain the difference

between eros and philos

and agape

but to love.

I don’t want

to sing as if I mean it

I want to mean it.

I don’t want

to tell it like it is

but to be it

like you want it.

I don’t want to think another needs me

but I need him

else I’m not complete.

I don’t want

to tell others how to do it

but to do it

to have to be always right

but to admit it when I’m wrong.

I don’t want to be a census taker

but an obstetrician

nor an involved person, a professional

but a friend

I don’t want to be insensitive

but to hurt where other people hurt

nor to say I know how you feel

but to say God knows

and I’ll try

if you’ll be patient with me

and meanwhile I’ll be quiet.

I don’t want to scorn the cliches of others

but to mean everything I say

including this.

by Joe Bayly

Deuteronomy 8:17-18

Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth. You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org