Letting Off Steam 

Flames dance behind the woodstove’s glass door

heating the speckled red kettle sitting on the trivet 

resting on a stove-black surface. 

Within the kettle water reaches a gentle boil 

transforming liquid to gas visible as steam from the spout 

rises in wisps, swirling, disappearing, moistening the air. 

Just beyond the warming fire snow covers the ground 

where birds of the air scramble to scratch seeds scattered 

as others peck away at a house-shaped conglomeration 

providing food but not shelter on a frigid winter morning. 

Watching each winged wonder take a turn to feed its hunger 

leads the heart to ponder how we bipeds might learn to do the same. 

So from the roiling within let our prayer rise as steam from the kettle 

lifting up the nagging questions keeping us awake 

trusting the One providing the seed we deliver to feathered neighbors 

—who knows full well what it is to have Word and Way ignored 

who longs for each and all who stray to find their way back— 

will hear and answer our cry in heaven’s own time. 

How long, O Lord, 

must we be held hostage by those 

who refuse to honor the trust placed in them? 

How long, O Lord, 

must we be subject to those 

who ignore the oaths they have sworn to keep? 

How long, O Lord, 

must we witness the cowardice 

of those who claim to be courageous? 

How long, O Lord 

must we put up with leaders afraid to lead— 

servants who expect to be served? 

Following in the steps of those who have gone before us 

we wait, we hope, we place our trust in You 

ever striving to daily live your commands to love. 

Knowing you have been our help in days gone by 

we seek courage to persevere here and now 

while traveling along the path You pioneered. 

Amen.