so much of me
seeks just
a bit of You,
to tentatively touch
the outer hem of Your garment,
to be
somehow filled
with Your never-ending love
and mercy
and grace.
But today I cannot see even Your hem.
All around me instead are
images of an indifferent disease
that is making us
a scared and sick
and dying people.
I feel helpless.
So disabled
and weak.
I know that, apart from You,
I am nothing.
In my despair, I turn away
when Your open arms
beckon me,
Come.
I am afraid.
How I long to fall
into the protection You offer!
I would willingly drown
in the peace
of all that is You.
Come. Come. Come.
You
who endured the cross
meant for me.
You
who embraced the disgrace
that was mine.
You
who bore the beating
and the ridicule
and the humiliation.
You
who once and forever
triumphed over
every ailment and disease,
and the death
of this world.
Come.
Do You earnestly invite me?
To the foot of Your cross?
To Your grave that lies open and empty?
Then I will not settle
for the slight touch of your hem,
for I can no longer be satisfied
with only
the tiniest bit of You.
I will lay down all of myself
at the foot of Your cross.
I will search with everything I have
until I find Your empty tomb.
And then,
oh then…
I will run with abandon
into Your flung-wide arms.
All
of
me
running
to
all
of
You.
My Savior and my God.

We live by faith, not by sight.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
today is a good day!
~ Natalie