Third Monday of Advent

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the
disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray
that you may not come into the time of trial." Then he withdrew from them
about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, "Father, if you are willing,
remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." Then an angel
from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed
more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down
on the ground. When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and
found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, "Why are you
sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial."
(Luke 22:39-46)

    a stone's throw

weary,
so weary my soul
longs to pull the covers
up over my head
to stay in the shadowed
cocoon until . . .
you are down
in the kitchen
spooning the steel cut oats
into a bowl,
cutting up some fresh fruit,
pouring a hot cup of tea,
and putting it all on a tray,
make your way up the stairs
to me;

on this journey
which seems to come with
more fraughts
every day,
i pause at the intersection of
Questions and Fear, not
sure what to do,
you wait,
around the corner,
ready to walk with me,
reaching out your hand
to mine;

driven to my knees,
by the unutterable,
struggling to put the
jumble of emotions,
doubts, and worries
together into something
that resembles prayer,
you are just
a breath away,
the only Word
i need.

© 2012 Thom M. Shuman