I was moved by reports of a retired priest who lamented the lack of slack in the system – in the church and other institutions – and wondered what it is that stretches me in my life…
Almost all my answers were good things – family, work, study, hobbies, courses, friends, teams and wider opportunities to serve people… This little poem was the result of my musings on a quiet day where I paused to pray in beautiful surroundings…
Taking up the slack
What drains and stretches, causing strain
Can clearly be the place of pain
And yet are oft the very things
That bring you life, thus deepening
Your value
Worth
Potential still
They remain with you – through good or ill
The pain one day can be eclipsed
By little things that aren’t quite tricks
But choices made, hard won, each day
To find some slack so you can pay
And pray
And pastor
Parent more
Not from a place with nought in store
But financed from a place of bounce
That springs and makes ol’ Nick’s plans flounce
next stop: work out what ‘little tricks’ are needed now, and prioritise any wholesale space creation needed to create slack in personal, family, study and work systems…
Your name is like honey 