Availability

My beloved and I are hanging out in the Dells in order to be available, just in case.  We drove around the area last night and discovered a lot of land for sale, beautiful land for sale.  We also discovered that we are staying relatively close to the International Crane Foundation, a place we will revisit this trip.  Maybe Baraboo will even have a fruit plate for me to eat.

We are in the Dells

For Memorial Day

Available

Amidst the winding overgrowth

Of accommodations

Waterparks

Carnival food

Even an outlet mall.

We are In the Dells

Available.

We scan the maps

For things to do

Until tomorrow morning.

I seek a fruit plate.

Three hundred acres,

A mile of river front

Is available for sale

Just outside town.

We will visit the cranes

This afternoon.

We are in the Dells

Available

Just in case.

We are surrounded

By carnival food

And waterparks.

I seek a fruit plate.

Behind the scenes

I am sitting in my office underneath the nave during the main Sunday service.  My door is open so I can see what goes on behind the scenes.  I think I will do this again.  There is a lot that happens backstage.

Behind the scenes

And underneath,

I sit in my office.

I am available

For whoever walks by

While my husband and daughter

Share nursery duty.

My door is open.

I am

Behind the scenes

And underneath.

I hear the service

Through the downstairs speaker,

Watch the last minute acolyte

Robe up.

She will sneak in

From the side.

Behind the scenes

And underneath,

I attended the early service

Today.

I am available for all comers

Now.

The List

I am not singing in the All Y*all Choir.  I am not attending the special convention to reunite with the Diocese of Quincy. I am not attending Ian*s ordination to the transitional Diaconate (I*ll catch him at his priesting)

I have a list

Of what I am not doing

Today,

A list In favor of caring for:

Birthday spouse things;

Daughter things;

House things.

The cat is sound asleep,

Slit eyes,

Front legs

Curled under.

Today I practice

Availability.

I pay attention

To what comes next.

I pray for the things

I am not doing.

They will get along

Just fine

Without me.

Available

Yesterday a friend said: Perhaps part of your call is to be available (thank you, Carolyn).  That statement, coupled with last week*s conversation with Steve about God playing Hide and Seek, culminated in this.  Available.  It feels so... well... inactive.  Exactly.  

I have sought to fill my time

With meaningful  things,

Things meaningful

To me.

All the while it seems

God has sought

Instead

My availability.

Simply

My availability.

Are you here?

Are you there?

Oh there you are

I knew you*d figure it out

Eventually.