Christmas

I watched as stacks of presents were unwrapped by small,
excited fingers. Squeals of delight broke the silence filling the room with excitement and glee. So much work had gone into making the day special. So many hours of decorating, shopping and wrapping, of cleaning and cooking. So much to make one day memorable and lovely. And as I sat watching it was all worth it. It was the best Christmas we've had in a long time. Not because of the presents. Not because of the food. Not because of a clean, decorated house. All those things were nice. But rather it was because we were all together, blessed by the gift of God, blessed by love for each other, blessed by letting go of control and expectations and just allowing the day to happen. It was a wonderful Christmas.

Little Girl

Little girl, little girl,
Sinking beneath the waves.
Who has pushed you down there?
Did you not learn to behave?

Sinking faster, sinking faster,
Little girl gone astray.
Has your heart been broken?
Did you not get your way?

Counting breaths, counting breaths
Water begins to invade.
When will it happen?
When will you begin to fade?

Rock bottom, rock bottom,
Rough sand hits her face.
Will you stop now?
Will you plead your sorry case?

Swallowed whole, swallowed whole,
In the belly of a whale.
All by herself now,
With no one to tell her tale.

Little girl, little girl,
Alone in a big fish.
She met her loving Maker
Who gave her her one greatest wish.

Revived now, revived now
To do the Lords will.
Will she do it?
Will she do it?

Oh, little girl!