Except

by The Rev. Laurie Sponaugle (10/29/08)

Come!
Arms flung wide!
Hands reaching out!
Eyes beckoning with longing to draw in.
The table is spread!
The feast is prepared!
You are welcome!
You are wanted!
You are loved!
Come!

And somewhere, a woman hears one word in her heart,
like resounding gong
and clanging cymbal crash
that one line drawing word that explodes into many more…
Except!
Exception!
Exclusion!
Prohibition!
Elimination!
Segregation!

Somewhere she sees a finger pointing, marking the dividing line
And she hears a shouting…
Except you!
Except you!
Except you!
It has always been!
It will always be!

And somewhere, a man hears one word in his mind,
Like fingernail screeches,
And gavel dropping sentencing thud
That one eliminating word that expands into many more…
Except!
You are kept out!
Left out!
Ruled out!
Banned!
Refused entry!

Somewhere he sees a pointing finger drawing the dividing line
And he hears a shouting …
Except you!
Except you!
Except you!
It has always been!
It will always be!

Except …
that the arms still remain open
Except …
that the look beckons on, invitational
Except …
that loving hands continue reaching out,
Wider than can be imagined.

The invitation IS for you!
For ALL of you!
YOU are welcome!
YOU are wanted!
YOU are loved!
YOU are included!
It should have always been!
It should always be!

And with trembling hearts,
they come
with joy,
with bliss,
with elation,
radiating within
and without
for there is One
who says
THERE IS NO EXCEPT!

Only ACCEPT!

It shall be!
It shall be!!
Let it be!