Michael Sliney

“Too busy, hectic, whirlwind, way too fast”?
Is this your response when your help is asked?
Do we consider this being “harassed”?
This lack of true “balance” is unsurpassed,
Causing a spiritual lymphoblast!
The world’s need for love has become more vast.
Modern expectations must be recast,
Jesus’ life is such a stark contrast!
Time for God and others must not come last!

“Too busy, hectic, whirlwind, way too fast”?
Is this your response when your help is asked?
Do we consider this being “harassed”?
This lack of true “balance” is unsurpassed,
Causing a spiritual lymphoblast!
The world’s need for love has become more vast.
Modern expectations must be recast,
Jesus’ life is such a stark contrast!
Time for God and others must not come last!

Is it really that big of a deal?
Taking out garbage without a peal,
Preparing a top class home-cooked meal,
Fighting feelings to stay even-keel,
Not treating others like a fifth wheel,
Patching up wounds and trying to heal,
Kindness, good manners…being genteel,
These acts soften your heart to congeal,
Of course you must often pray and kneel,
Begging for grace with heart felt appeal,
This is love and the Christian Ideal!

Love is not platonic, it’s something real:
It’s “heart to heart”…not a cold “business” deal.
It doesn’t “shock” like an electric eel,
Nor will it attack an achilles’ heel,
It humbly serves, in spite of how you feel,
It strives to patch up wounds and gently heal.
True “selflessness” is love, not an ordeal,
It doesn’t count the cost or try to repeal,
It takes the time to cook a home made meal,
Chicken cacciatore, a cut of veal…

The point of departure is when you kneel,
Here you can listen to Jesus’ appeal,
“Let me work through you, let my love reveal…
How much I care for souls, MY love is real!!”

Moms and dads are given a flock,
Looks and genes stem from the same stock,
Kids will read your thoughts…so sublime!
Habits are absorbed over time,
They observe you around the clock.

It’s not enough to just “provide,”
Discipline, love…must be applied,
The Sacraments and daily prayers
Will show Christ as their friend, who cares,
His life will serve as their sure guide.

These little sheep look up to you,
In a few years, they’ll say adieu,
They’ll walk the path which you have lead…
Prepare them for battles ahead!
Be authentic, PLEASE be true blue!

God blesses folks who put others first,
Who notice when people hurt and thirst,
They don’t expect to be reimbursed.
Actions done with love, and not coerced.

The middle seat in a crowded car,
“Giving” your partner a putt for par,
Saying “hi”, and smiling au revoir,
Sharing some of your granola bar…

Pointing the conversation their way,
Doggedly searching for sheep that stray,
Preparing some exquisite soufflé,
The best act of love is, of course, to pray.

“The pursuit of happiness”…but why?
This seems to be culture’s battle cry…
See the world’s suffering through Christ’s eyes,
Christ’s is begging for help, please reply,
Sally forth, take action, don’t stand by!
Then God will send you peace from on high!

Alarm ringing in the morning,
Sounding the early warning,
Head still spinning from dreaming,
Tired bones, silently screaming.

Christ is patiently hoping
In spite of all the groaning,
To see open hearts…serving ,
Self-giving…not observing!

Please, start your day by praying,
Hear what Jesus is saying!
“So many souls are hurting…
It is so disconcerting,
This alarm is my calling,
Please help me…without stalling!”

Alarm ringing in the morning,
Sounding the early warning,
Head still spinning from dreaming,
Tired bones, silently screaming.

Christ is patiently hoping
In spite of all the groaning,
To see open hearts…serving ,
Self-giving…not observing!

Please, start your day by praying,
Hear what Jesus is saying!
“So many souls are hurting…
It is so disconcerting,
This alarm is my calling,
Please help me…without stalling!”