For the Courage to Say No

It is tempting to add 
an explanatory comma to 
validate 
excuse 
soften their disappointment. 

But NO is a syllable 
a word 
a whole sentence! 
It is enough.

NO is sturdy. 
It can guard what needs good care 
and blesses 
the quiet YES you are saying 
somewhere else. 

When you brave a good NO, 
God smiles 
at the way you tend to unseen love 
with more of yourself 
than YES would have allowed. 

From Ordinary Blessings