poetry by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Take up your cross
God, give me heart to hold the trembling hand
of one who is in pain, to sit with their pain,
to hold their trembling.
Give me faith to stand in the wound of the world
and hold the edges, be the healing bond.
Give me courage to risk the stones, standing
with one who’s being stoned by hate and fear.
Give me love to forgive the one who’s caused me pain
whose pain was too great to bear alone.
Give me spirit to give myself to healing, though it hurt,
to blessing, though it cost.
Christ be in me to suffer for the sake of love,
knowing that any cross I bear is yours,
who carry all the weight, and labor by my side.
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Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net