February 13, 2025

We need more help than we get,
leaving us to make do with what we have 
more often than not,
and fantasies of the Elder Wand abound--
Or those of an Almighty God capable of being
cajoled (With the right kind of sacrifice
and attention) into showering us with special
consideration and gifts in return.

This is shamelessly called "giving to get"
by churches not above prostituting themselves
for the goods and services of answered prayers
from on High throughout the year.

It's a con racket hawked by those 
who believe God can be bought
without worrying about the implied mafia boss nature
of a God reputed to be all loving and kind.

Desperate times lead to desperate measures,
and generate theological quagmires and quandaries 
over how to get what we want without over playing 
our hand.

If we live long enough,
we will live with our "backs to the wall,"
out of options, with nowhere to turn,
up against it "between the devil and the deep blue sea."

Jesus went to Gethsemane and Golgotha
when his back was against the wall. 
That is always the choice of honor and integrity--
and where honor and integrity often lead.

Knowing that from the start
and willingly paying the price
of a life lived as it ought to be lived,
with eyes open all the way
and a heart equal to the task
of doing what needs to be done--
for the joy of doing it
and the satisfaction of having done it,
no matter what,
leaves things as they ought to be
in a world where we need more help than we get,
time after time.