Some years ago,
while flat on my sick bed
on a rainy day
with the flu, a cold
bandaged eyes
and fatigued faith,
I raised my heart
and I prayed.

I promised to God
that on the next sunshine day
I would walk to my yard,
stand on my toes,
wake up my brittle backbone,
stretch my arms high above
and dance in the sun
in His name.

Many suns have come and gone.
I have walked miles and miles
and extended my arms
higher and higher.

And, you know...

I remembered
that I have forgotten all about my arms--

those two limbs at both sides of my body
that once embraced lovers,
cuddled children,
hung diapers on the clothesline...

So pleased I met them again.

These days
I thank God, who saw my mustard seed
that grew it into a long-lived cedar tree--
the one where I will stand up
and pick up its purple cones
until He calls me
into His kingdom.


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