Just like that
alarms sound
flames devour
truth reveals
hearts break
doors close

Just like that
hard work
doesn’t matter
good
just isn’t
good enough

Just like that
hands tremble
you wait
footsteps pause
hearts race
tears fall

Just like that
all that was becomes
scattered
disordered
chaotic
messy.

What now?
What do you do
or think
or feel
when just like that
comes?

Is it safe to
say out loud
to yourself
to God
what you really think about
just like that?

Just like that
passover celebration
becomes a last supper
friends betray
tears fall in the garden
all turn away.

Just like that
crowds yell crucify
a broken bloody body
hangs on a cross
and the Son cries out
my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Just. Like. That!

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Oh friend, when trouble comes “be gentle with yourself.” There’s no need to reframe the hard with a silver lining. No need to clean up the mess before you turn to God. No question, no wondering, no doubt or despair will change who you are to God. Asking why, or what the heck, doesn’t signify little faith. It signifies relationship. And the children of God have been sharing their hard with God since the beginning of time.

Elijah cried out from the cave, “I’m the only one left.” (1Kings 19:1-18)

Job, the one called blameless, asked “Why was I even born?” (Job 3:1-10)

Mary, the mother of Jesus, questioned, “How can this be?” (Luke 1:29-34)

Thomas, who is known for his doubt, stated, “Unless I see it with my own eyes.” (John 20:29-34)