May 26, 2021
I Was Going To (Really!): A Prayer
O Lord, I was going to,
I had been meaning to,
I was getting around to,
but
I got busy,
I got preoccupied,
I got tired,
(The truth? I forgot);
but
I didn’t think it was a big deal,
I didn’t think anyone would feel hurt,
I didn’t think it would matter so much
(The truth? I didn’t think);
but
I’m going to do it,
I’m going to do what I’ve been meaning to do,
I’m going to do what I was getting around to doing;
but
not this minute,
not right now,
not a good time
(The truth? Looking at stuff online);
but
I am going to
(No, I’m serious),
I mean to
(No, I mean it),
I will get around to
(No, really, I will);
will
make the call,
send the card,
text the text,
check up on,
check in with,
check out,
be a friend to,
be supportive of,
be there for
the one
I was going to,
I had been meaning to,
I was getting around to,
yesterday,
last week,
last month,
last time
I promised myself I would,
yesterday become
yesteryear.
O Lord, in the midst of the giddiness of
getting together again,
getting to go without masks,
getting away with getting away,
I pray
that I, we, remember,
what this past year
has taught us
(or should have),
what you have been trying to teach us
right from the word go:
we are not immune;
we may not have a tomorrow;
those we were
going to,
meant to,
we’re getting around to,
may not be here tomorrow;
today
is what we have;
today:
to do
what we’ve been going to do,
what we’ve been meaning to do,
what we’ve been getting around to doing;
today:
love,
to be a friend,
be there;
today:
be what
yesterday
we should have been
but figured we’d always have
tomorrow
to be.
O Lord, maybe because for a year and more
we’ve been pretty much
by ourselves,
into ourselves,
with ourselves,
thinking about ourselves,
anxious about ourselves,
worried about ourselves,
and a few others
(maybe),
we have gotten lost in ourselves,
all wrapped up in ourselves,
find it hard to get out of ourselves.
If that is us,
forgive us
and help us to
forget ourselves,
forget our burdens and bitternesses,
forget
wanting to forget
anything (or anyone) that might
sadden us,
ruin our good mood,
put us in a bad mood;
so that
we don’t forget,
forget the other
(which is to forget you),
and don’t regret
not doing today
what couldn’t be done
on the tomorrow
that wasn’t.
And we continue to pray, O Lord, for those
who are suffering with or suffering from the coronavirus;
who are battling cancer or other diseases;
who are facing scary surgeries or procedures;
who are at risk every day because of their jobs;
who are alone and have no one praying for them.
Let today be the day,
and if we have
more days to come,
let each and every one of our days be the day
we remember them, pray for them,
be a friend to them.
And today, every day,
be the day
healing and hope come to them.
O Lord, I was going to,
I was meaning to,
I was getting around to,
but you know me;
and I know you,
know that with you,
there is no
going to,
meaning to,
getting around to,
only a love and presence there
every day,
which is why
I will
(well, try harder to – hey, you know me)
love you
and
the other
today and
all the todays
that may come.
Amen.