My Beloved

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, added to them all by shutting up John in prison.

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:15-22 

My Beloved

Here standing naked and compeled

my role clearer by the moment

my humanity fearful for the backlash

the world looking with great skepticism.

Here a dove lighting from heaven

a voice like liquid light and hope

a promise that the path ahead 

is filled with companions and pilgrims also.

Momma used to remind me

that when things get overhwleming

the devil is working overtime

as we draw closer to God.

So sink me deep into the water again

wash me over so that I can stand

strengthen me with love and humility

and let me walk the road with joy and light.