Church People

Church people
Are pretty good
At extending sympathy
At “sorry for your pain”
At feeding and caring
For the wounded
When the wound
Is fresh

Church people
Aren’t very good
At listening
While others question God
Or speak of how
The circumstance
Is changing everything
Once believed

Church people

Are good at
Early pain
When there is a lot to do
And little time to think 

But as time goes on

And pain collides
With old beliefs
In unsettling
Ways

Most

Church people
Disappear

Can’t bear to be present

For the tough questions
Out of fear
For where
It might lead

Can’t entertain questions

That linger unanswered
For too long

Can’t even admit

That the questions
Are good

Can’t accompany others

To the wide open
Place of pain
Beyond I’m sorry
Here’s a casserole

Can’t be present

With the part of pain
That is thoughtful
Quiet, honest

Can’t go anywhere near

Where the griever must stay
For quite a while
And this worsens the pain
Alienates the griever

Can’t go

Or won’t go
Where they have
Never been

This is where

We need
To do better

This is where

Church people
All people maybe
Flounder

Offering scraps of comfort

Surface sunshine
And answers they
Have not
Thought through

Offering casseroles

To a world
In desperate need of
Companions

 (no offense to the casseroles…I love them just we
   have to do better)