What I Ask

I don’t ask for a life of bliss,
I’ve seen what too much ease and too much comfort can bring.

I don’t ask for all love and no loss,
Loss forces us to love more deeply and truly those we have left.

I don’t ask for a life devoid of sacrifice,
Sacrifice turns our attention from ourselves to others.

I don’t ask to be sheltered from suffering,
I ask to be given courage and grace to relieve the world’s suffering.

I don’t ask for pain to never touch me,
I ask for the strength to bear the pain when it does.

No, I don’t ask for a blissful life,
I ask to walk the hard life.

I ask to walk through this thick darkness,
Shining as a light, leading people to Him who gives True Life.

I ask to one day lie my weary head down,
Only to open my eyes to the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I ask to spend this life in pursuit of that Next Life.