Embrace - a poem

In the time of dryness and drought

What could I give you Lord

What could I offer

I am already empty

My hands are all filthy and wounded

My sores are deep and have distorted me

My pockets are empty and torn

I come empty handed and ashamed.

I see people looking at me with eyes of contempt

Useless and wasteful, I am labelled

They close their eyes and nose upon the sight

As I walk to the Father dejected

As I tried my heavy steps ashamed

Nothing to give; nothing to offer

People on either side of the road

In their pompous dresses and richest gifts to the Father

Whereas I come with torn dresses and crushed spirit

With dirty rags and disgusting hands

Smelly feet and downcast eyes

Nothing have I; yet I kept walking

Despite pointing fingers and jeering eyes

Despite harsh and painful words

I dragged myself along

Not sure how I would face Him.

The Father runs to meet me

In His richest and finest garments

He embraced me; says He is glad I am here

Kisses me on my forehead and mine eyes

Says He is excited and proud of me

I lifted my wounded filthy hands

Empty; dejected; dry; ashamed

But He greets me with a smile

Not a contemptuous laughter

Not a sarcastic smile, as was filled in the rest of the hall

But a contentful one: says that's not what I want

But this; and He lifts me up with joy and mirth

And embraces again this sinful self

And in His embrace; I felt complete

What have I done, O Lord to love me, I asked

I didn't have anything to give.

It is not what you can offer dear

I have loved you not seeing what you will bring

I have loved you not seeing how many souls you will win

I have loved you not foreseeing you would love back

I have loved you as you are

I was walking with you, when your heart was heavy

I was carrying you when you couldn't trod

I was cleansing your wounds, when you were filthy

I was always there, when you felt alone and helpless

For I did not leave you alone

Because I am passionately in love with you

And I want to spend eternity with you

That is why, in your lostness and you helplessness

I came to save you; and that is why you are here now

I don't want anything or any gifts or any good work

That you can or cannot offer.

I want you

And then I found myself again in His embrace

Healed, cleansed, filled, made complete

Content - For eternity is mine; to be in this embrace