Little boxes

My father-in-law sent the following to me as a way of encouraging me in my ministry...

Little Boxes
But Lord,
I've always bought brown sugar
in brown boxes
with brow letters on the box.

I saw the plastic bags of sugar in the grocery store yesterday
I could tell by looking that this was a better way
The strong, air-tight bags would keep the sugar soft and usable.
But I've always bought brown sugar in a box
And I reached for the box.

Now, back at home, I wondered why.

Lord, why are we...
Why am I...
so reluctant to change old ways?
Some old ways are valid,
but some need changing.
And I cling to square boxes with unthinking tenacity,
just because I've always bought square boxes.

That is not reason enough,
Times have changed—and are changing
so fast it makes my head swim.
I am obligated to face my days intentionally!
The container that brown sugar comes in is no great thing.
But there are other, weightier matters
that require rethinking—and perhaps revising.
If I am going to live significantly,
I must make my big decisions purposefully,
intentionally,
comprehensively.

“New occasions teach new duties; Time makes ancient good uncouth. They must upward still, and onward, who would keep abreast of Truth.”

Forgive my square boxes. Amen.

-From Bless this Mess and Other Prayers, by Jo Carr and Imogene Sorley