I was invited into the desert with You,
led there by the Spirit
into a barren place
with no food.

You were tempted
to turn stones into bread.
You could have done it,
but you refused.

If I could have,
I would have.
Why wait for God to intervene
or expect my neighbour to help?
It’s the responsible thing to do.

I sat there with You in the wilderness,
wondering what it would be like
not to
offer the solution on the tip of my tongue,
not to get up
and activate Plan B,
but wait
a little longer,
trust
a little more,
and let you
make the first move.

Rise up, Love! Set me free!
For through your guidance…
I shall be free to serve Love
with a glad and open heart.
— Psalm 3:7-8 paraphrased by Nan Merrill, adapted

Credits and References:
Stones into Bread by Lawrence OP Detail from a stained window, c.1170-80 in the Victoria & Albert Museum. Creative Commons.
Plan A by Esther Hizsa, 2025
Georgia O’Keeffe (1933) by Alfred Stieglitz. Original from The Art Institute of Chicago. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel. Creative Commons.

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2025.
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 2013-2025.  http://www.estherhizsa.com