Church work would be so easy
if it weren’t for all the people!
Every day, someone says to me,
“Here’s my anxiety. Please hold it,”
and every day, I acknowledge it
and try not to take it on as mine,
but it’s always lurking just there,
that feeling of tension in my chest,
that unwanted gift I put down
again and again because it really
is not mine, and I have enough
anxieties of my own. I will listen,
always. I will strive to be present,
and I will be kind as much as I can.
But, no, dear congregant, I cannot
take on your anxiety as my own.
Prayers accepted and freely given
today, tomorrow and always, Amen!
