I watch the children on the carousel this morning, Lord.
They are mesmerized by the glittering horses,
the bejeweled elephants,
the undulating lights.
The merry-go-round starts to turn as the music plays,
and, one by one,
the images familiar:
mother, father, tables, cars, grass-
blending into a spinning blur-
disappear.
The children gradually come to embrace a new reality,
the world of bright, flawless animals,
colored lights, music box sounds.
Only peers populate their brave new world.
Their wide eyes become fixed
on the mechanized, artificial wonder—
blind to any other reality.
Lord, am I, too, spinning in my artificial world,
caught up in glittering plans,
dazzled by artifacts of our culture?
Are my ears so tuned to the tinny sounds
that fill my hearing that sweet voices of those I love
can no longer be distinguished from the din?
Has the centrifugal force of my running-around-in-circles
blurred Your dear face into oblivion?
Is my whole perception of reality
based on the habits and lifestyles of those who spin with me?
Slow me down, Lord.
Let my contrived machinery run out of steam.
Let the music stop.
Pull me out of my trance.
Let the light bulbs go out;
let the sunshine stream in!
Blow Your clean, fresh breezes into my stupored face.
Give me a hand, Lord.
Lift me from the phony conveyances
and set my feet on solid ground.
I may be disoriented for a while, Lord.
Steady me with Your strong arm.
At first, I may be blinded by the bright light of Your truth.
Be patient with me
until I can refocus on the images
You want to reveal to me.
Lord, lead me into a quiet place
where I can learn to hear the gentle sound
of the clear brooks of Living Water.
And, when I can bear it, let me hear Your voice;
let me see Your face;
let me walk in Your paths;
let me recognize the eternal in every fragile moment.
