Let something essential happen (Ted Loder)

  O God, 

Let something essential happen to me. 

Something more than interesting, 

or entertaining, 

or thoughtful. 

O God, 

Let something essential happen to me, 

something awesome, 

something real. 

Speak to my condition, Lord, 

and change me inside where it matters, 

a change that will burn and tremble and heal 

and explode me into tears  

or laughter 

or love that throbs or screams 

or keeps a terrible, cleansing silence 

and dares the dangerous deeds. 

Let something happen to me 

which is my real self, God… 

O God, 

let something essential and joyful happen to me, 

something like the blooming of hope and faith, 

like a grateful heart, 

like a surge of awareness 

of how precious each moment is, 

that now, not next time, 

now is the occasion  

to take off my shoes 

to see every bush afire, 

to leap and whirl with neighbor, 

to gulp the air as sweet wine 

until I’ve drunk enough 

to dare to speak the tender word: 

Thank you. 

I love you. 

You’re beautiful. 

Let’s live forever beginning now 

and I’m a fool for Christ’s sake. 

--Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace

Image source:  http://seekingfaith.stedward.com/reflections/open-to-the-experience/

Poem source