Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not cast us off forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For we sink down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up, come to our help. Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love. (Psalm 44: 23-26)

Even at our best we tend toward distraction. Linguists estimate we hear only 60 to 70 percent of what another says to us. When we are afraid we comprehend even less.

The partnership, the opportunity to co-create, the covenant that God has promised is always at work. God does not sleep. God does not depart. We have not been cast off. But often - at the worst possible moment - we cannot hear or see clearly.

In good days we separate ourselves from God in a sense of self-sufficiency. In bad days we separate ourselves from God in doubt and fear, sometimes in guilt, often in pride.

Above is Separation by Arthur David Neri.