Awake From Slumber

it’s not like i woke up one morning
and knew that today would be the day.

it has been a gradual awakening of sorts.
at times, dozing back off,
into the world of complacency.
at times more awake
than i have ever been.

i think it’s a process.
i think that God designed it that way.
i think He knows that if we look on this world,
the hurting, the oppressed, the widow, the orphan,
if we look on these things
with our full attention, all at one time,
it will be too much to handle.
too hard to take.

so he gives us glimpses,
little bits,
to stir our hearts,
to get our minds working again,
to awaken us.

every day understanding His heart
a bit more,
every day a bit more awake.

so here i sit,
asleep no more.

and unable to accept
what the world perceives
as our reality.

i am unable to close my eyes
to the pain around me.
unable to stand by
while thousands of mothers just like me
have no access to clean water.
while  they watch their children die,
and mine have a choice between
tap, filtered, or bottled.

oh yes,
i am awake.
and now, i must act.

the time for empty words is gone.
talking about the problem
does nothing to solve it.

and although i am only one person,
i will no longer believe that i have no voice.

the time has come,
and i can sleep no more.