Just one more thing

Reflecting on the gospel this week (Mark 10: 17-31), I was intrigued by that "one more thing" of which Jesus speaks and pondered on what it might be. Here is just one suggestion:

To enter the kingdom requires...

loving that neighbour who has outgrown the church

spending time with folk just because they are our neighbours

no hidden agendas

perhaps no agenda at all

except an encounter filled with unconditional love

In between the meetings

of boards and committees

and coffee fueled talk shops

meeting God's children

right where they are.

Visiting the sick, the dying,

the bereaved and the lonely

the folk who make us feel good

the folk who cut us down to size

carrying the love of God as an offering.

And if it seems like an endless round

of demands and expectations

from ourselves and others

weighing heavily on our shoulders

perhaps it's that one more thing

that will make all the difference to us.

Carving out the space

to experience God's love for ourselves

finding that corner in which to chill out

and allow ourselves to be smothered

by the breath of God

breathing deep into our souls

oozing out through our pores

so that, once again we are sure of our ground

and able once more to share

without counting the cost.

But that one more thing

makes all the difference

to everything else.

And let me tell you

for a giver

taking that time

grasping that love for ourselves

is almost as hard

as a camel going through the eye of a needle