An unrealistic story.
No parent wakes their child at night,
though often children need
a parent’s love, a glass of water
a promise that the
fear in the closet or under the bed
is not going to harm,
the easing of a fever.
So, of course, no child –
always the caller, never the called –
recognizes the voice.
I know God came up
with a message,
about being one of the first prophets
when stirring Samuel,
at the last flickering
of the holy night light.
But that agenda could have waited
till the dawn came.
God was just lonely
and calling for a child’s love.
“Hush. Hush,” says the spiritual.
Somebody needs you,
and in the night is calling your name.
Many a parent is calling her/his child these days to please call back. We are lonely without our children and grandchildren close by and so why not call them? (signed, a lonely parent)
Oh, yes, indeed … and sometimes just the phone, not Zoom is just fie (after all God wasn’t seen!)
I long loved this story…but this reflection touches me all the more. Your ending phrase, “Somebody needs you and in the night is calling your name,”‘ speaks of urgency, yes, but also intense longing.
Yes, I think that God longs for us!