Anaheim 2009

By Faith Chatham - July 9, 2009
Some look on from benches, googling instead of genuflecting this year
Divorce is tough
Jesus says "Don't do it."

My two oldest sisters used to vie and juggle
Playing politics and presenting cases
Why each should be the "best", "right", deserve to be "most loved"
Mother never would choose
She lived for them both
How different is the Father's love?

It's Anaheim this year.
It's been Denver and other places where blood was let
The cup was passed in Jesus Name
Yet Cain smite Able
"It's because they said this" or "They think that…"
We're at the table arguing we can serve better only "if" and "when"
Can we? Do we?

It's Anheim this year.
Familiar faces from the crowd are at home across the nation
Some are missing from other continents
Some from down the block.
Between the lines folks are reading from within the hall and from cyber portals
To see how if "just rewards" will be melted down
Or only empty spaces will walk in columns
Past the line in the sand where discernment becomes judgement.
Oh, wait!

That's what the Father said -- only the Son can judge.

It's Anaheim this year.
Those I hold dear are within the room and at home.
I agree with "this.." over here and "that.." over there.
I see imperfectly.
It isn't quite so clear
Who is "right" and who is "wrong."
The Father said: "Don't sue".
"Don't judge".
"Don't marginalize".
"Honor my Word. Don't add or take away."

We live Him imperfectly.
He loves us immeasurably.

Mother hated holidays.
Sisters sat at table with agendas and grievances
She loved us all
And wouldn't choose
Her daughters were all imperfect
She'd held us in her womb
Wiped our tears and spanked our butts
She saw promise in our eyes
And believed that hearts can mend

Mother may understand God's heart better than clerics
And Bishops, delegates in Anaheim and delegates of previous years
Creation breeds hope from the dust

The bell rings.
God is near.
The cup is passed.
He decided, He alone decides
Who knows him best.
He alone knows who calls upon His name.
He alone recognizes the hand which reaches sincere and weak
Trusting

God needs no defender.
He is God.
He seeks no one to "prove His truth."

Reach.
Know God is God.
See the chasm.
Know shortness of our mortal leap.

None of us earned our Mother's love.
None of us understand the Father.

We are imperfect in our leap.
Their love doesn't measure the shortness of our dreams
Or charge a premium for inches not fulfilled on measuring sticks.
Those at home and those in Anaheim are in His heart.
He's neither deaf nor weak
He has patience
Waiting for spiritual toddlers to run out of steam
And be still
Getting quiet enough to hear His voice
And feel His hand comfort and encompass.

We see a bit
Think we know the rest.
He sees all
And holds us to his breast.
-- by Faith Chatham
copyright 2009