Innocence

A Lament and Prayer

Good Shepherd, I beg of You

Save Innocence. 

The world stalks her,

            lying in wait to snatch her

            from Your lambs.

Please, O Christ, save her.

Heal her from the ordeal.

Innocence is the gift You bestow,

            that protects the growing–

            the forming–

            of Your little lambs.

You bid us to accept

            the kingdom of heaven

            as a child in Your innocence does.

But how, Father,

            can that happen?

Innocence is being

            wrenched from their minds,

            torn from their souls,

            stripped from their spirits?

Help us to understand the mutation

            Innocence’s absence causes.

Grant clarity

            to the grave and unspeakable abuse endured

            at Innocence’s departure.

Our minds cannot, will not,

            hold the memory of innocence.

We can be shrewd as vipers

            and innocent as doves,

But that does not equate to the innocence

            to receive the kingdom as a child.

O Holy Spirit,

I cannot claim such innocence,

            such complete and full trust.

But this I know.

You have the power

            to come upon them, babe and toddler.

Please, O Spirit, protect them.

Should innocence be lost,

trembling and suffering will infest the fold.

Your fold.

Without innocence,

hearts and minds

            become untethered from Truth.

            Lost.

Without innocence,

souls and consciences

            cannot grasp love.

            Alone.

Without innocence,

The spirits of Your created ones

            are trampled and crushed.

            Hopeless.

Seeking You, O God,

            has us putting away childish things.

            Dodging the pitfalls of complacency

            Treading the waters of busyness.

Hence Your reminders of innocence?

How is it, Lord,

            that the world decided our offspring

            are still children long after they’re of age

            and at the same time

            that their psyches can handle anything

            that anyone wants to pour into their beings

            no matter their tender age?

How is it, Lord,

            that Your people have failed to guard the fold?

Your fold.

Fan the flames of a seeking faith

            in those to whom You entrust Your lambs.

Kindle the embers of discernment

            that Innocence is regarded, again,

            with deference.

Take hold and grant reprieve

            for You alone, O God,

            have the remedy of deliverance and healing.

Hear my lament O Lord.

I will wait in stillness…

…for Your answer…

…to my prayer…

…a note on breath of wind…

…in the deepness whispers…

My spirit bursts into flight

To chase the sound

Ever growing

Into the hymn

Of Hope

That came in a manger. That will come on the clouds.