I cannot reach up
Or rather I can, just not very well
And when I have stretched my arm as far as it will go
I can’t do anything with it
At all
That repaired supraspinatus
Just can’t bear the weight
And so I am left
Looking at that object on the shelf
And cursing
Then I ask for help
I hate it
Having to ask for help
Not being able to make that reach upward
Myself
Please
I’d rather do it myself!!
But that is the thing
I can’t
I can’t reach that file box, high in the closet
I need help
I can’t be the person God would love for me to be
I need help
Not just the help of the Holy Spirit
Although that, for sure
But the help of others
The encouragers
The ones who hold me accountable
The ones who have gifts I don’t have
Which is why I still believe in the church
Even though it is tainted
Even though, instead of being a servant church
It seeks power and wealth
Even though it can be dysfunctional
Fragmented
Judgmental
Exclusive
And self-absorbed
Because we need each other
And if we don’t do this faith thing together
Seeking (in the power of the Holy Spirit)
To be the presence of the Sacred
The hands, feet and voice of Jesus
In this world
Together
We will find so much
That is good
That is powerful
That is love
Just out of reach
