Tell me how your day went, did it go just as you planned?
Did you get your filing sorted, is everything at hand?
Did you get your cup of coffee as you chatted to your staff,
Did the new guy on reception ***** up and make you laugh?
Me? Oh mine was busy, I watched a young boy die.
I worked so hard to save him, oh God really, I did try.
A disbelieving mother could not fathom what I said.
How hard it is to tell her that her loving son was dead.
Did you miss your boss’s deadline, is your laptop on the fritz
Is that guy from sales department getting on your ****?
Sometimes I’d gladly swap you, your chores for just a day
So I don’t see the things I see or the things I have to say.
I’m just your average copper, doing everything I can.
To help make sure you stay safe, and your days goes to your plan.
Me? I’m just expected to get on with what I do,
To be just fine when I knock off and put away the blue.
Tell me how your day went, did everything go fine?
Please give a thought to all of us as we walk that thin blue line.

The red folk and the purple people were distinctive in their hue.  In contrast, the Set Up bunch were chameleon, and to the casual observer they could pass for members of the congregation. That was by design, to be known only by their levite nature, their early arrival and late departure and (if you looked closely) by their hands.
The early bunch had remarkable hands. They were strikingly ready and willing, and could be turned to a wide variety of tasks.
They could never be described as specialist, and would never wish to be.  Their true specialty, if they have one, is only to be quick to serve and never draw attention to themselves.  
If they were ever persuaded to wear team tee shirts, they would have 'Ninja' brazoned across the back.  And that would be kinda cool.

I look into her face, curiously more familiar, more frequent now on her departure. And particularly more prominent in profile.  
I look into her face and see the easy smile that comes with age and with the assurance of knowing herself and her place in the bigger scheme of things, particularly in the scheme of relatively earthly royalty and the ultimately heavenly King.
I look into her face and recall it in prayer at her husband's funeral, and imagine it now at rest, in darkness and in joy, in a brighter light.
I look into her face, on my pound coin, in the corner of my letter, on the street bill board, on the front of the paper, on every channel, an image etched in my mind's eye, a loud echo of a lifetime of consistency and service.  
I look and then in a prayer thank her God and my God for gifting us this servant queen, who lived well and only fell once she had done enough to help ensure others' lives were better for her being there.
And I pray for our king, that his long apprentiship in her firm serves him well and serves us well as we walk on together, into the unknown, in thanks for the service of leaders.

I am not as you see me now:
booted, colour coded, weighted down by disinfectant and toilet rolls,
sweeping, mopping, bringing cleansing, facilitating,
helping others meet God ...

- oh, so I guess I am

- I am how you see me:
serving, pushing my way right to the back, preferring others
and finding Jesus there, with his blue gloves and apron,
ready to pick up and sweep up, refill and mop up
whatever is left behind

and ever-ready to pick up and refill
whoever finds themselves left behind

We're heavenly hosts for Jesus
and you'll find us where you need us.  
At the back.

May Putin be crushed and his nuclear threat exposed an empty bluff
May Russians see themselves the true Nazis
And in true need of salvation than Ukrainians ever were
May the shattered save the mighty and the mighty serve the victor

rocket power serve
up the T on the deuce side
~ point of no return




Mark Toney © 2021

there she was
pure as ice
i didn't know at first
as she came to serve
by my side