Michael Sliney

Forgotten, forsaken…frozen,
Cherished, cuddled, caressed…chosen.
Jarringly jettisoned…jungle!
Heavenly hiatus…humble!

Why did Jesus leave paradise?
Love…love for YOU, to be precise!

Always climbing ladders, grinding it out?
Putting yourself out there, garnering clout?
Posting perfect photos…for a shout-out?
Yoga, spinning, marathons…working out?
Kale, cold pressed juices, lots of brussels sprouts?
All solid stuff…but does it leave a doubt?
Is this what “happiness” is all about?
Are Scripture and the chapel your “hang-out”?
Jesus is the key, PLEASE don’t leave him out!

Pondering… provides prudent predictions,
Conscientiousness…clips contradictions.
Deft discernment…drives dandy decisions.
Persistent prayer…powers peak performance,
Christ centeredness…creates careful conformance,
Lean into God!…The effects? ENORMOUS!!!

What’s in it for me? Is that all you see?
Future payback? A bottle of chablis?
Serving the poor, or only the marquis?
Selflessness permeates our family tree!
Stretch your heart, expand your diastole!
Unconditional love! Don’t you agree??
Peace and joy? Absolutely guaranteed!

Human conflict, tension or pain?
Hurting the heart, busting the brain?
Causing resentment and disdain?

God’s providence…or preordained?
Resisting, fighting?…What is gained?
Be kind, love “freely”…don’t be chained!
This is how the great Saints were trained!

Satan saunters the hallways of your mind,
Permeating the caverns of your heart.
Probing, tempting, testing…what does he find?
There is only one…who he can’t outsmart.

Awake the sleeping giant, please don’t wait!
The Holy Spirit will set Satan straight!
Lean hard into him, make him your soul mate,
He knows the devil’s tricks and lies, “au fait”,
He unties knots, breaks webs and extricates,
He’ll lead you to Christ, and the pearly gates!

Why should Christ be your “best” friend?
He accepts you, comprehends…
If you reach up, he descends,
Unties knots, fixes loose ends,
So caring…hard to offend,
It’s easy to make amends.
Hurting inside? He attends…
From Satan’s snares…he’ll defend,
Gift of peace…huge dividend!
In Jesus you can depend,
Fidelity…to the end!!

Mother’s mystical mind,
Remarkably refined,
Amazingly aligned,
Delightfully designed,
Usually unfeigned,
Quagmires? Quarantined!!
“Situations”? Streamlined!!
Simply…one of a kind!!!

The empty tomb, the sacred shroud,
The risen Christ was seen by crowds…
These FACTS, the apostles avowed
To boldly proclamate aloud.

Do you believe Christ walks with you,
To guide you through life’s deep fescue?
You know His preferred rendezvous:
The Eucharist! And there’s no queue!
Hang out with HIM…it’s overdue!

Humans have so many needs!
Too many are “in the weeds”,
Plowing through at such high speeds,
High anxiety proceeds…
“Please come to me!”- Jesus pleads!

Trust totally…openly,
Pray piously…quietly,
Give graciously…spaciously,
God meets needs…tenaciously!