Focus on the Doers

In so many ways

in too many words

the common refrain

echoes in several forms:

“I don’t want to.”

“You can’t make me.”

“It’s my choice, respect it.”

“I won’t trust my future to their promises.”

With freedom misunderstood

selfishness reigns

as “the common good” is replaced by

“what’s in it for me.”

Truths we thought would march on,

providing “liberty and justice for all”

have been mothballed

by unenlightened self-interest.

Better to focus

on the righteous old man

of whom it is written

“he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.”

Choose the example

of the courageous young woman

who told her private messenger

“let it be to me according to your word.”

Having yielded rights

to welcome responsibilities

they became the first teachers

of the child entrusted to their care

as he learned his Father’s business

and grew up to say

“In everything do to others

as you would have them do to you.”

Doing what comes faithfully

work for the good of all

living like Jesus

who found the power to serve

down on his knees

yielding life to our Heavenly Parent:

“Not what I want but what You want,”

“Your will be done.”

 Have a Blessed Christmas!     James E. Thyren, © 2021