Oh God to speak is not my calling now
but to give ear, to listen, is my fast
and furious intent solution* (Wow!)
and then be slow to anger (what a blast!)
and very fun to learn, from you my Dad,
to do responses true and right in line
with what is beneficial (though still sad!),
each movement incremental here in time.
I’ll leave to you the cataclysmic stuff -
Tectonic plates that move some meters out,
and heaps of things then happen - sure enough
but we don’t know, except to not just pout!
We can respond, and see what’s helpful now
what might be useful, mitigating harm,
or minimising pain, or loss somehow,
and choosing to involve myself: my arm,
my leg, my wallet, presence, smile, or word.
I thank you for this privilege - from you.
I might not “fix” a single thing. I’ve heard
a lot of stuff that maybe I could do.
But sitting down to listen, and to learn,
reflecting on the light that comes my way,
and letting some inside - to warm, not burn,
is “needful thing” for me to choose today¹.
And that leads me along to see my need.
To understand, acknowledge need of me.
I need to quickly light up “list’ning speed”
to all around, and sit with that and see.
* When this sentence is read out loud to another, anyone who only hears this without also seeing and reading it, will understand it to say “intense solution”. And I guess it is often intense… so that’s ok. But I was, at first, only meaning my intent to bring myself in line; the right kind of self-discipline, but on realising other meanings attached to the phonemes that will come from these words, I realise that they are true too, so I will not choose to say it differently to cut off that possibility.
¹ “As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him in her home. [39] She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. [40] Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!” [41] The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, [42] but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42 GNBUK)
² “quick, quick, quick…” & “Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. [20] Human anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose. [21] So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you. [22] Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. [23] Whoever listens to the word but does not put it into practice is like a man who looks in a mirror and sees himself as he is. [24] He takes a good look at himself and then goes away and at once forgets what he looks like. [25] But those who look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, who keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice — they will be blessed by God in what they do. [26] Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourselves. [27] What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.” (James 1:19-27 GNBUK)
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