Who Can Spell Despair?

The heartbeat of need pulsates in the street.

We hear it from the safety of our windows:

the poor, the sick, the disenfranchised,

the neighbor who is lonely. They might

cry out for help if only they knew who to call.

The Lord waits in the wings, invisible to

the naked eye, but you and I can see him.

He holds the bowl of answers, of blessing

in his pierced hands. Shall we tell them?

Shall we shout it out? Come! Taste and see

that the Lord is good! The despairing among us

are desperate for reminders.

Psalm 34:1–8