Listening

"School" was what He said,
And "school" was what I heard.
A gentle voice inside my head
Intoned a single word.

School it is, I smiled.
So that was what I did.
I read and wrote and calmly whiled
Away the months. I hid.

Once more He would speak.
I waited for His will.
His new word sending me to seek
A place for me to fill.

Several years did pass,
But that one word remained.
I thought that sitting in a class
Was what had been ordained.

I thought He left me.
Perhaps He just forgot
This servant waiting patiently
To find her chosen spot.

Prayers got one reply:
That single vexing word.
I whispered, yelled, began to cry,
But "school" was all I heard.

Still more months slipped on.
I gave up plaintive pleas.
I just had trust, for hope was gone
To see the things He sees.

Time was pulling tight.
Decisions overhead
Were blotting out my Father's light
When He finally said:

"School." And I heard it
As He'd meant for my fate.
Instead of being one to sit
In desks, I'll educate.

Father laughed at me.
I heard Him chuckling when
He said it: "School," where I will be
Until He speaks again.