For an Older Audience
Forty-five years later and I’m still hoping
to be one of the Do-Bees (Do-Be).
You know, from Romper Room.
To be affirmed, to be accepted,
to feel loved and interconnected with others.
Yes, that’s still what I long for.
I still desire to follow the rules, but now
the rules are different…
to love, to be loved, to be aware,
to be vulnerable,
to search out and strengthen connectedness,
to work against isolation in all its forms.
And whatever I do, to foster that those actions
may flow out of my state of being,
to do everything out of love, freedom, and truth,
(at least that is my hope)
to embrace the fact that I am never alone
because Jesus is with me always.
So sometimes I just sit in the sun,
pay attention to how good it feels on my skin,
and I thank God for that feeling.
I close my eyes and listen for the sounds of life…
people walking, talking, leaves rustling, myself breathing,
and I thank God for the gift of hearing.
I then open my eyes and try to see what has always been
there but I have not yet noticed
(it is always so much),
and I thank God for the gift of eyesight.
Sometimes that is my doing,
to stop and let God love me,
and to say thank you,
thank you,
thank you.
Reflection and Prayer
What practical, perhaps very simple daily practice or guiding principle (a rule of life) could help you grow closer to Jesus? Ask him for suggestions. If you already have a practice or guiding principle, talk with him about it to get his feedback. Ask him to tell you about his daily practice and guiding principle for life.