First Thursday in Lent

"He will regard the prayer of the

   destitute,

and will not despise their
   prayer."  Psalm 102:17

we look at
the shaky,
unshaven fellow
holding the sign
by the side of the road
asking for $$$
and discern a failure,
but you see
that prodigal
who left home
so long ago, and
you begin to
hand-write the
party invitations;
just outside
the doors of the
sanctuary,
we impatiently
listen to the 'sob
story' we have heard
a hundred times, slowly
edging away (while
stealing glances
at our watch),
but you take
her by the hand,
leading her over
to the shady bench,
sitting down and
giving her your full
attention, inviting
"tell me more."

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman