a prayer of examen

this past week - frantic movement,
     a pressing onward, onward, onward
small glances behind, full glare ahead
hurting my eyes, depressing my heart.

                   stop.

                   regain clarity and charity
                        and thankfulness.
take the time to look around your life
        alive and beating as you stand still.

see your beautiful children, graciously growing
                                   despite your weaknesses.

see you loving husband and remember his morning embraces,
his words of compassion, his posture of interest.

see the joy of home and the gift of time within it,
        the monotonous becoming a dance
                                          or a song?
                                                 if you let it.

see the grace on grace on grace
                 of a God with good plans
                             and hands filled with power
                             and motivation of limitless love.

                 strengthening me.
                 calling me in purposes large and beautiful.

let go of imagined control
                 and lie back into submission.


(pause)


                               now,
                                    move on.