Absences

Thank you, Abba, for the absences I enjoy today.
Thank you for the absence of pain in my body;
for the absence of hatred in my heart;
for the absence of hunger in my belly;
and the absence of fear in my soul.
Thank you for no sniffles and no tears,
no bruises, no splinters,
no pulls or strains or breaks.
Thank you that I have no onerous duty awaiting me--
no friend to bury,
no loved one to correct,
no one to reprove.
Thank you for the void
of tragedy and calamity
I enjoy right now,
and use it please to rest me
and strengthen me
for the day when that void is filled,
in Jesus' name, amen.