A Spring in Winter Prayer

Lord
It’s suddenly spring here
in Chico
We’re not ready
to put on the gloves
pull the weeds
break out the shovels
turn the earth
plant the carrots
buy the six-packs
of pansies

Lord
It’s suddenly spring here
in Chico
It’s hard to imagine
wind whipped snow
freezing temperatures
in Georgia
black ice
homes with no heat
and the desperation
of folks without a home

Lord
remind us
that our new president
is on a train to Washington
traveling though the bitter cold
like Lincoln
toward chilling challenges
and bitter realities
as real as the artic wind
with a miraculous confidence
that a springtime of the soul
can melt the snow
of bitterness
and hatred
and cynicism
and fear

Lord
It’s suddenly spring here
in Chico
and mabe
in America too
despite the weather

Amen

ah
1/09