The "Gift of Being Unfinished"

Unfinished, the path through a Rhododendron Tunnel, Craggy Gardens-

Beloved Creator

            Leave us undone

            Leave us restless

Mix us up with uncertainty

            Allow inconsistency to confuse us

            Allow foolishness to distract us

            Allow changes to keep us insecure

Stir us up with emotion

            Let fear tempt us to run

            Let anger tempt us to hurt

            Let joy tempt us to hold on too long

Frustrate us

            Prompt our impatience with the slowness of life

            Throw obstacles in front of our desires

            Invite willful people to complicate our great schemes

Without the many possibilities of these imperfections,

            We would forget that you are creating us

            Grow fat and content with ourselves

            Pretend that we do not need you

            And live as if you do not exist

We thank you for our doubting that teaches us to trust

            For our wounds that teach us to have mercy

            For our withholding that allows us to give

            For our delights and pleasures that refresh us

            For human love that allows us to create

                        As we are being created

You know what we need

            Add and subtract as you may

            Ignore our requests for more control

                        Our bargaining for more privileges

                        And our protests over too much suffering

Let our faith deepen in the mysterious wisdom of your ways

Off us just enough and nothing more

            That we may choose to be awake

            That we may choose to love

            That our lives may give birth

            That we may die into your presence

            That we may love and let go a little more with each

                        Moment of our breathing

Thank you for unfinishing us

            Offering us the possibilities of being undone

            Allowing us to willingly surrender                      

         The imperfect gifts of our lives.           Ted Kempel

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