blessing - KAREN HESSLER

A poem, prayer, and blessing.

In the beginning was the Word

and the Word was with God

and the Word was God
John 1:1





And the Word put on
a Coat of Skin
and became flesh
and lived and walked
and talked among us
and we saw the
face of God

And the Shepherd put on
the Coat of a Lamb
and was led to slaughter
in our place
and we saw the
depth of God

And the Son of God
put on a Coat of Death
and went down into the grave
and we saw the mysteries of
the Holy of Holies

And the spotless Lamb
put on a Kingly Robe
and He rose from death
and we saw the
wisdom and power
the glory and salvation
the redemptive majesty
of the Most High God
Who lives and reigns
forever and ever.

A Blessing of the Word:

May we be filled with the hope of the living God. May we walk in the beauty of His promises. May we grow in His love, and be comforted by His words. And may we remain in His Presence all the days of our lives. Amen!

something is loosening the laces of all that was tightly held white knuckles clinched fist rigid wrist something's emerging from the deep could it be courage untying the knots? fingers uncurl hope begins to swirl something sweeps through bones and veins washing away aches and pains with outstretched arm grace takes my hand things tightly held fall to the land covered by dirt nourished by soil no need to work no strife no sweat no toil troubles now are planted in the ground of grace where goodness knows how beauty grows alive in love's embrace