The "Mess" of the Year?

It was the December Mess,

The festive season that saw order after order, food after food, celebration after celebration,

And here we were, trying to learn, a 27-day long run.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner,

And those teas and coffees that mattered,

You showed us you could definitely eat!

We began with hope and excitement,

Until we realized it was a roller coaster.

Until we realized it was definitely better on the other side!

When it comes to the Mess,

We all have our likes and dislikes,

But seldom do we realize what ‘all’ means.

North, South, East, West, and the in-betweens,

The problem arises when you want ‘your’ way by all means.

The days went on,

It got better, or so we thought!

Little did we know that behind our backs there was so much talk!

You kept throwing accusations and complaints,

You called us "autocratic!"

You called us "hopeless!"

Hopeless,

For you had a problem with the ingredients we used.

Hopeless,

For you had a problem with the way it was prepared.

Hopeless,

For you had a problem, not just 'a' problem, but problems it was

But, it just amazes us how,

When we had a lot, you didn't want any.

It's when we ran short, you wanted more!

How,

When one of you had a problem, it became the problem of many.

Would it have hurt to speak to one of us and not spread it like fire?

Now that it’s over,

We wish not to be put over,

For we found something, we sure did!

We found hope,

When we built relationships with those humans who tirelessly work so that we all could have three rich meals.

We found hope,

When we were blessed with the smiles of those few persons who graced the dining hall after all had eaten so that they can fill their stomachs with our leftovers.

We found hope,

When in our naughtiness we served 'boiled vegetables' to all in solidarity with those who love it that way.

We found hope,

When the dominant were baffled and kept rolling their eyes right through the 27 days,

When, at the end of it all, the 'others' came up and said, "We felt very comfortable during this mess, Thank You!"

Hope or Hopeless?

We choose the former coz though it was sometimes bitter; it was the learning that mattered!

For as someone said, This is “discipleship!”

Thank you and Merry Christmas, everyone!