I’m ashamed to tell it

This is so petty

But every night it gets me

We finally sit on the couch

I’m dying to put some food in my mouth

My stomach is growling

The savory food on my plate is steaming

It’s been a long day

Before we dive in, my husband says, “Let’s take a minute to pray”

I agree and bow my head

But after a minute, there’s a moment of dread

I open my eyes to peek over at him

It’s just like the pastor on a pretty Sunday morning – no sign of stoppin’

My stomach remains hollow

My husband prays on

I try to follow

But the food on my plate grows lukewarm

Aaaahhh! Inside me the flesh and the spirit storm

He prays for everyone and everything

His boss, the neighbors, the food

I’m crumbling from starvation and don’t know what to do

But I love the way he prays – it’s what drew me to him back in the day

He goes on – there’s always someone or something to pray for

Add me to the list

Because in another minute I’m on the floor

The food never made it to my mouth

His prayers shift – to me

I wake up and am given something to eat

And then I too am ready to pray

Forgive me, Lord, for always being in the way