It’s there
when you spill your tea
just when you thought
This time, I’ll be on time for my meeting,
there again,
when judgment announces your mistake
after the fact,
and there too
when you lie awake at night
trying and failing
to find a way
to make things work.

It’s there when you read the news,
help a person who’s homeless,
and see the price of gas go up again.

It’s there
when you find yourself in that endless loop
between blaming yourself and justifying what you did,
there again, when you realize you’re still waiting
for hope to arrive.

Powerlessness.

It’s one of the worst feelings in the world,
and we will use
all the power we have,
all the devices known to us,
to avoid feeling it,

but that only makes it worse.

We have to open the door,
name it,
and let it be seen, heard
and felt.

But never,
never
do this alone
or it will be the end of you.

Ask the All-Powerful One
to help you.
For he was powerless, too–
at his birth
and on the cross.
Remember how he wept over Jerusalem,
watched the rich young ruler walk away,
and wasn’t able to convince Judas that he was on his side?

You’ll want God with you
when you open that door.

And you’ll want
the gift that’s left behind
after powerlessness
has had its say.

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
–Psalm 3:3 (ESV)

Credits and References:
“Superman” by Hoa Nguyen. Used with permission
“There It Is Again” by Esther Hizsa, 2024
“Let’s open the door to..”  tanakawho Used with permission.

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2024.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2024.  http://www.estherhizsa.com