Four People, Four Lives

John, Anna, Don and Mary, four people, four lives

One single, one divorced, one married, one a faithful wife

John walks through a door he said he never would

A door of judgment, scarcity, fear

Focusing on things he hadn’t, but probably should

Anna sits down alone, afraid of what’s to come

Needing to breathe, hoping for more

Tired of life on the run

Don prances in, not ashamed of his sin

Ignorant to reality

He’s decided who’s out, and who is in

Mary lives in fear, hiding the hole

Joyless smile, it darkens a room

Deceived, believing she is in control

As John walks through the door, a huge surprise

Honesty, transparency, tears, laughter

Acceptance, hope, love in their eyes

As the music starts, Anna’s soul discovers ascension

Walking, running, sprinting, flying

A new reality, a new dimension

Don beats his chest, thankful the words are for somebody else

Blinded by pride, high on the ladder, looking down

A calloused heart afraid to melt

Mary can’t listen, mind already made up

Debate is her weapon

Religion her makeup

Same message, same song

John discovers the radical tenderness of Grace

While glances of shame are given by Don

Same message, same song

Anna experiences new freedom, new life

While Mary’s mission stays the same, to point out who’s wrong

A famous song declares, “All we need is love”, while churches preach doctrinal exclusivity

The world is dying, divided, wounded, desperate for compassion and empathy

John, 28, tired of narrow views

Don, 62, the holiest in the pews

Anna, 48, broken from life's failures

Mary, 53, pretending to be sure

Another song exhorts, “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love”

No more studies, no more pontificating

John, Anna, Don, Mary, you and I, we all need the same, the spirit of God's mercy descending on us from above, like a snow white dove.