Take Heart

They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:46-52 

Take Heart

All the shouting and wild complaining

don't want to be left out, bullied, ignored

this crippling condition that noone understands

leaves me a beggar, needy and ashamed.

The silent aches that leave you screaming

the stumbling in the constant darkness

disoriented,feeling so abandoned and alone

there seems no hope for me.

No one has dodged the scars of age

none can live perfect, whole and free

all of us cry out day and  night

"Son of David, have mercy on me!"

There is no sorrow or shame like ours

no hidden or visible disease like it

our burden is too great to bear day after day

we weep in the ashes of our failure.

Take heart! Today God is calling you

spring up and let loose your binding

the Creator calls us each by name

and wants us whole again.

Spring up for love is walking close by

like sweet sunshine after long winter's rain

we will be restored with hope and life

made new with the touch of his hand.