Lindy Thompson

“Because of the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

– Luke 1: 78-79
from Zechariah’s prophecy

how loved are we
that the maker of rainbows
the carver of mountains
the sculptor of flowers
has tender mercy toward us

tender as a new mother
hovering over her new baby
ready to provide us what is needed
to flood our lives with light
to guide our choices toward peace

how loved are we
and forgiven
washed clean
made free to be
that tender mercy
toward other frail humans
faulty as we
as prone to wander
yet equally worthy of love
needing to be shown
that they too can be mercy
for others

the deep soul truth
of being beloved
can only be compassioned into a person

there is no other way
that they can know