Keep Watch Above

Last night as You walked with me, I began to complain.

I didn't think it was complaining then,

but you would be amazed the clarity that comes

from a good sleep.

I said, "Abba, how can You use someone like me

to do Your great will?

What good is a barren fruit tree?

I am old, I barely get around, my sight and hearing are shot,

I fart with every step and my breath stinks.

I so want to do Your will, but I am so, so unworthy

for many more reasons than these. You know, Father."

                        My friend, whenever you hear yourself say

                        "I, I, I, my, my, my," you are either complaining

                        or being extremely selfish.

I took these troubles to sleep with me.

When I awoke this morning, a dream clung to my mind.

I was outside with a little child, doing what I do well: play.

We looked up and saw a single stream of objects

drifting slowly down from the heavens.

I stepped underneath the stream and began catching

a wide assortment of micro tools:

tiny powered screwdrivers, drills, cutters, grinders,

each fitting nicely in the palm of my hand.

And then came miniature bits, bolts, nuts, screws

each creeping single file from the sky.

The child began playing with some of the tools

that I laid on a sheet found on the ground,

but I knew what each thing was and how to use it.

Finally, the last item drifted toward me and I caught it:

a pack of KOOL cigarettes.

This was a strange dream to me and I pondered it

until it hit me in the shower like a tiny anvil from above.

The tools and accessories were small

but they worked.

They did not rely on power from me;

their power came from above.

I was familiar and adept with them, though,

as if they were made just for me.

God gave me these tools to use because

the small things - poetry, kindness, compassion,

volunteer work, prayer, laughter -

are as important as being a successful televangelist.

The child was my early Christian life,

unaware of the instruments in my grasp.

I had matured, though I did not realize it.

And the cigarettes - that was a puzzler!

I quit smoking four years ago,

and wasn't about to start again, even if

they came right out of heaven.

But then I remembered Peter's vision in Acts Ten,

and a voice from above saying "Do not call something unclean

if God has made it clean."

God wasn't telling me to smoke again.

He was talking about me!

Through Him I am worthy.

Cool!

And so I ran here, still dripping from the shower,

to tell you this dream.

God does hear our prayers and complaints.

Don't doubt that for even a second.

Keep watch above, for there are celestial gifts

showering upon you right now.