Stop Playing the Game

The balls sit untouched  

On an empty tennis court 

The same balls I kept returning to you.  

Unintentionally.  

Unwillingly.  

I didn't realize I kept picking them up 

And hitting them back to you.  

Me being me – kind to a fault. 

Yet my fear that this “game”

was even being played    

Had now become a reality. 

Truth is 

I don't want to play. 

Because this game 

was uncomfortable 

and awkward 

at best   

and annoying 

at worst.  

This game touched a deep place.  

One that I thought had healed 

and had been restored. 

Which made it all the more frustrating.  

My cry of exasperation was answered  

By Holy Spirit’s whisper, 

“Stop playing the game.”  

  

I couldn’t fathom,  

How to make it any more apparent -

That I was not interested in the game.  

Gradually, I stopped picking up the balls 

Stopped returning them. 

I simply stood there...not playing 

Thinking it would be enough.  

But the balls just kept falling at my feet. 

It felt rude to just stand there 

But I had heard the voice of Wisdom 

And over time, 

I discovered how to stay off the court completely.

Game over.