I have handed over
the obvious ones,
the food
the alcohol
the attempt to control others;
and in that surrender,
each day renewed,
there is
PEACE
beyond any measure.

Yet still there are
idols –
oh, such an ugly thought!
I still turn to things,
away from God,
for relief
from fear
worry
shame
guilt
hurt
anxiety
me.

Oh, like me, please like me…

I turn to
the plethora of sources
where I can gain material stuff
and forget the emptiness within;
I turn to
the ugliness of gossip
so I can focus attention on the faults of you
and not need to face what’s missing in me;
I turn to
the righteousness of self-care
to compare myself away
from unity with others;
I turn to
isolation
TV
a 3-hour nap.

Why do I still turn to
these idols
away from my God of peace?
What lie is so strong
to make me believe
even for a moment
in their reprieve?

Dear God,
oh God,
remove the lie
and my desire to believe it!
Dear God,
oh God
grant me relief
from me.