If God is my usable past,
the part worth saving,
the minutes, episodes,
chance in-counters
when I measure the moment
by soul standard,
an inward counting
of worth and meaning-
the past
stumbled upon
or given as an outright gift
to which I first said no
then later yes
with a bless-me-now
petition of recognition
instead of my normal
grudge;
yes!
that usable past
as even bruised fruit preserves
and shriveling grapes store sweet wine;
Then
out of the past, O God,
let the useless become usable,
the broken repaired,
the lost found
as when the prodigal’s nowhere
with a change of compass
becomes now here
at homecoming.
-
If God is My Unsable Past
America's most
influential
journal of
religion and
public life Subscribe Latest Issue Support First Things
influential
journal of
religion and
public life Subscribe Latest Issue Support First Things