July 28th

"'Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.'" Joshua 24:15

we could listen quietly
sitting on our tongues

to make sure they do not

just get up and into 

someone else's face.

we could sweep our fears

off the front porch of our hearts

and put out the welcome mat

so others know that they

can find a home in us.

we could walk Grace and Hope

down the street, letting all 

the little kids (and the big ones)

run up to hug them and

get wet sloppy kisses to bring

healing to their wounded souls.

we could pause and turn

to see those that scare us

so much face to face, only

to discover we are looking

into the mirror.

or

we could choose

to keep living just 

as we are right now.

(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman