There once were four women in deep despair, as they had lost everything they loved from a menacing world. The first woman said, “All is lost. Nothing is left. There is nowhere to go from here.” And she perished. The second woman said, “All is lost. Nothing is left.” Then she turned to the Lord, “Save me!” she cried. So the Lord saved her, but after she was rescued, the woman became embarrassed at her need. She decided that she would not be so needy again, and when the world menaced her once more, she decided not to cry upon the Lord. And she perished. The third woman said, “All is lost. Nothing is left.” Then she turned to the Lord, “Save me!” she cried. So the Lord saved her, but after she was rescued, the woman grew proud and decided that she did not need the Lord any longer. When the world menaced her once more, she decided she was strong enough by herself to face the menace and did not cry upon the Lord. And she perished. The fourth woman said, “All is lost. Nothing is left.” She turned to the Lord, “Save me!” she cried. The Lord saved her, but the moment the Lord saved her, more things welled up and threatened her existence. She cried to the Lord, “Save me again!” And the Lord saved her again. But even more things welled up and threatened her existence, and yet again she cried to the Lord, “Save me yet again!” And the Lord saved her yet again. The more the world menaced and threatened her existence, the more she cried out to the Lord, and the more the Lord rescued her over and over and over in endless rescue. And the woman was safe.

© Meisaan Chan