Rejoice in Meanness

A message came today.
This missive rejoiced that
The number of Muslims
That worshiped on September 25
Was less than the number hoped for.
Grief overwhelmed my soul
When the sender took credit
For this result.
She proclaimed control of God
Although she did not know it.
Because she thought her prayer answered
She took credit for harm
To those in worship.
Prayer is a mystery.
Jesus told us to pray
And gave us a model.
He told us to pray in private
Yet churches pray in mass.
I believe God wants us to focus on Him.
Prayer is a way to do so.
God is a father
Who wants to hear his children babble.
God is love
Not magic.

Photo by jaxxon

Blessings?

What do we believe are the benefits
Of becoming a Christian?
Wealth?
Happiness?
Health?
I have no wealth, only sadness, and many ailments.
Am I a Christian?
I say I am a follower of the Word.
Would my fellow churchgoers agree?
I think not.
In their world, God blesses Christians now
With material goods, a happy life, and a healthy body.
In their world, intercessory prayer controls God.
If true prayer warriors pray for you,
You will be blessed.
I believe that Christ demonstrates God in action.
That he is the highest, truest revelation of God.
Therefore, I must believe in Him.
He did not promise
Riches,
Happiness,
Health.
He did not promise to do our bidding.
He promised to be with us
In an imperfect world.
He promised to be with us
Through suffering, grief and death
As well as
Through peace, joy and life.
He promised another existence
Beyond this world.
He portrayed God's Love for all.
So I must try to love as he did.
Try.

Photo by Hamed Saber

Maternal Prayer

Mommy, Mommy!

Mother of the universe,
Into whose lap we wish to climb,
Praise your kind presence and love.
May your grace envelop the world
So that all will heed you
Just as your cherubs do.
Provide wholesome food each day
To nourish our bodies,
So we may seek you to nourish our souls.
Do not spank us when we stray.
Let us remember your forbearance
When others choose to stray
And make us stumble.
Take us by the hand,
Lift us away from danger.
Rock us in your arms
Because you are love, comfort, and nurture,
Eternity's Mother,
Forever God,
Amen.

Photo by David Paul Ohmer

Easter Memories

I remember Easter's past
When so very young,
Coloring hard-boiled eggs,
Leaving those bright-hued wonders
In a basket with plastic grass
For the Easter bunny to hide,
Searching early Sunday morning
For the missing eggs.
When a little older,
Dressing for Easter Sunday,
Gloves and hat required.
A crowded church, an endless sermon.
Home to eat a sumptious feast.
Where was Christ those Easter mornings?
Laughing with the children.
Walking down the church aisle
With the couple who come only once a year.
Holding the hat of a sleeping child.
Passing the lamb at Easter dinner.
Always with us.
Always love.

Photo by ButterflySha

Definitions

What is wealth?
Who is rich?
Man's answer to these questions is easy.
Wealth is an abundance of things desired.
A man is rich when well supplied
With land, goods or money.
God's definitions are harder.
Wealth is an abundance of love from others.
A man is rich when well supplied
With family, friends, or loved ones.
Which definitions would I choose?