Anonymity Poem by Michael Peachey

O Lord, let me be as that little Butterfly
Who wanders the airy meadows on dancing wings,
Who revels in the sunshine,
Who finds in every bright flower, joy;
Whose carefree life goes unnoticed by the hurrying crowds
Save maybe an admiring passerby, or two;
But Lord, let it be Your own beauty that they see,
The beauty of Your design in my life, and not just me;
That they may go on their way again, inspired to praise You.
O Lord, let me be as that little Butterfly,
Not questioning the future, delighting in the present,
And whose very existence relies on Your Providence.

O Lord, let me be that Thrush in the wood,
Who flickers elusive among hidden forest glades
And sings a pure, sweet melody that rings
Through the deep green arches and down the hidden paths
Of the fragrant summer forest,
A song so clear and inviting, full of joy for living;
But which also goes unnoticed by the self-absorbed,
Save maybe an observant passerby, or two,
Halting along the way, breathless, to enjoy the trebling song
And looking in vain for the singer;
But Lord, let it be Your own beauty that they hear,
The beauty of Your joy in my life, and not just me;
That they may go on their way again, inspired to praise You.
O Lord, let me be that Thrush in the wood,
Enjoying Your solitude, singing Your melodies,
Yet remaining hidden from sight, in Your will.

O Lord, let me be an alpine Flower on some distant mountainside,
Whose dry, rocky surroundings hinder it not from blooming,
A splash of unbridled color among the gray,
Who makes the most of life wherever You have planted its seed.
Let me be a Star among millions in some distant galaxy
Shining with the little bit of glory You've given me,
Filling my place in the infinite universe,
Shining with Your love even though I may not be so bright.
Let me be a Tree in some distant wilderness,
In a place where man has not been, or seldom comes,
Lifting my arms to You, providing shelter for Your creatures;
Though one of countless, I matter to You.

O Lord, let me be as all these,
And as the many more examples all around me.
Let me be who You want me to be,
Sent forth on Your good Earth to enjoy the wonders You've made,
And to give praise and service back to You.
Let me be a Detail in Your vast, rich pattern,
A pattern I cannot begin to understand; filling my place faithfully,
For the smallest Details are as important to You as any.
I don't need to be in the forefront-
Let me be a Detail in the background.

If ever I forget my place, O Lord,
Show unto me again the Butterfly, the Thrush, the Flower,
The Star, the Tree in a distant wilderness.
Show me that there is joy in being who You desire me to be,
And that Surprises wait for the patient,
And that Good Things come to the lowly.
Show me again, O Lord,
The blessings of
Anonymity.