Photo by Adam Foster

By Tina Teng-Henson

Not gonna lie
Working and mothering
Make me a little less friendly
Than usual

But there’s a gal at Target
Who told me about
Her experiences working in churches
And we connected deeply
Though we were strangers once
Now it feels
More like friends

Sometimes my baby
Furrows her brow
While napping
But my uncle
Recovering from a recent hospital stay
Will still see her cuteness
And smile

Waiting for the bathroom
At a rest stop
And shown grace by another
Opens up conversation
In Spanish
About America after Peru
Where there is
Less danger,
Opportunity to work,
And a family can
Be safe together.
Common ground abounds
And kind conversation
Even if we’re both
Tired and hot and
Waiting to use the facilities

I’m sure Jesus had his moments
When he probably didn’t feel
Friendliness characterized
The moment
Shooed out of his hometown
Challenged by critics

Others might have felt
Put off a bit
Known by him
Seen by him
“Go away from me Lord!”
But ultimately more eager
For real relationship
True healing
And forgiveness
To stay away

I’m waiting to hear
What the Yes’s of my life
Have meant to God

My sister said
God alone knows
How many lives
Have been touched
I certainly
Don’t know

But real friendship
Seems a theme for me these days
We bought a house
To stay longer than otherwise
To go deeper

Beautiful friend
Is the name of our street
Bellomy

Ministry isn’t lonely
When you’ve become
Real friends
Over the years

When your joy and
Your reasons to persevere
Are wrapped up
In seeing your friends
Succeed
And
Thrive

When your life
Occasions
Others meeting
And even
Falling
In love

When you both
Get to companion
Young couples
Getting married

When you’re the one
Delivering baby gifts
And meals
Because you remember
Exactly what it was like
To bring new life
Into this world

Alright

We’ll keep on going
By God’s grace

Not easy
Not simple
Troubles
Around every corner
New drama
Each week
New reasons
To apologize
New need
To pray

Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done

For thine is
The kingdom
The power
The glory

Forever
And ever

Amen.

Tina Teng-Henson and her family live in Santa Clara, California. She is presently serving as an interim co-pastor at Orchard Valley Christian Church (orchardvalley.org). She enjoys volleyball, independent film, and being in nature.