A Prayer of Repair
Copyright 2001 by Jon Gill
A sestina.

Walking down the street in the rain
Puddles soaking into my shoes
You see, I have a little hole
In the sole that the water sneaks through
Perhaps I should seek repair…
I’m walking and praying to my Lord.

I’m praying, “Dear Lord,
Thank you for the beautiful rain;
I’m sorry I’m in need of repair
Just like this old pair of shoes
But thank you that you always come through
And fill up my soul’s hole.”

My prayer is interrupted by a hole
In the sidewalk. But the Lord
Always waits for us ‘till we’re through
With distractions, like walking in the rain.
I bend over to tie my shoe
And remember my prayer of repair.

I said again, “Lord, I’m in need of repair:
I’ve been feeling this awful hole
Ever since she told me to ‘shoo’
I’m sorry for making her my Lord
And not letting you reign
Over my life all the way through.

“And I know now that through
Your merciful and gracious repair
That this dreary rain
Won’t feel so sad, nor this hole
So empty. Because you, Lord
Will be more than enough to fill her shoes.

“I want to walk in new shoes
On new paths, and through
New experiences with you, Lord.
Because new is better than repair
There’s no sign of a previous hole
And no fear of any rain.

“Thank you, Lord, for new shoes
And a soul repair that’s whole
And for walking me through this beautiful rain.”


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