James Taylor The Water Is Wide

Bless me

Lord Jesus,
If you stood before me,
here,
visible,
like you stood before Thomas
maybe I wouldn't dare kiss your feet
because I have unclean lips.

But when you are gone,
I would bend down
on the spot where your feet touched the floor.
with my forehead touching the floor.

But Lord, you are here,
as you promised.
Therefore I bend all the way down and I ask you to
put you hand on my head and bless me.

For the one who is alone.

Lord God, help those who are alone
alone in being your disciple,
alone in yearning for a Christian life,
alone in knowing about the secret of you, Lord Jesus.

alone in a family,
alone at work,
alone in a group of friends,

alone when blessing the food,
alone in sneaking into a place for prayer,
alone in attending church.

Lord God tell this lonely person:
"I Am" with you
don't be afraid, I have redeemed you,
I have called you by your name,
you are mine".

Amen

/Painting by Natasha Villone/

Potrait of a friend

Potrait of a friend

I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts,
or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we will
search for answers.

I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain,

nor the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can't keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall

Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine;
Yet I can share in your laughter.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge;
I can only support you, encourage you,
and help you when you ask.


I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship,

from your values, from me.
I can only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you.

I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you,
But I can give you the room to change, room to grow,
room to be yourself.

I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting.
But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces

and put them back in place.

I can't tell you who you are.
I can only love you and be your friend.

--Unknown