Wholeness

By Jane Spriggs

“Children are to be seen and not heard”
was what I heard, and learned…
But you, God, have created me to be
an extrovert
a shepherd
a preacher
to lead and feed your people.

“God helps those who help themselves”
was what I heard, and learned…
But you, God, have called me to walk alongside
the broken
and be broken
and feel others’ pain.

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”
was what I heard, and learned…
so I avoided conflict and tension.
But you, God, are calling me to be bold
and honest
and tell the truth.

As I make friends with the little girl who was
afraid to be heard
afraid to be too big
afraid of the broken and being broken
afraid to tell the truth,

I see you, Jesus,
beside me
behind me
pushing me forward
letting me go
coming with me

Into wholeness.