May 14th

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27-28

honestly, Lord?
it is hard.
the kid who shovels
snowy sidewalks, or
the co-worker who lets us
take the credit for a project –
they are easy to love
but those whose words
leave bruises on our souls
or the bitter voices which
turn our hearts to acid?
them’s the toughies.
but in your topsy-turvy,
out-of-the box beloved community,
you long for us to open our fists,
tenderize our spines,
let grace seep out of us like sunlight
through stained glass windows.
honestly, Lord, it is hard,
so keep finding a way
to teach us your illogical love
until it finds a way to slip in
through the cracks of the walls
we build out of our grudges
and turns our hurts holy.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman