An Advent Reflection.

Although it's not exactly appropriate for my context (except that I was quite cold much of the week down in Kabale), I recently read this poem and thought it an apt reflection for this Advent season.

Making the House Ready for the Lord.

Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but

...... still nothing is as shining as it should be

for you. Under the sink, for example, is an

...... uproar of mice -- it is the season of their

many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves

...... and through the walls the squirrels

have gnawed their ragged entrances -- but it is the season

...... when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And

the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard

...... while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow;

what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling

...... in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly

up the path, to the door. And still I believe you will

...... come, Lord: you will, when I speak to the fox,

the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know

...... that really I am speaking to you whenever I say,

as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.

--from Mary Oliver's Thirst.