My gentle friend

My gentle friend

My gentle friend, who accompanies my every step,

Who knew me before e’er I was, and who knows me now, better than I know myself,

You discern the roots of all my thoughts, and follow all my reasoning, and you run ahead to see where the effects of all I do will finish.

In my inmost being, you share yourself with me completely.

You have pledged yourself to me and I to you.

You will never stop loving me.

You caught me before e’er I fell, and hold me close in your embrace.

Though I reach out, I cannot grasp you,

Though I feel your presence, I cannot touch you,

Yet you enfold me in a love that surpasses all.

You fill me to overflowing.

You set me high where I can see to the furthest horizon.

Even if I should betray you, you will never desert me – even if I should demand it of you.

You teach me to see and understand and cherish truth.

You lead me in ways of joyful righteousness.

I, who am so weak and feeble, so slow to understand, and slower to act,

I, who am so prone to stray, you continually seek me out and restore me to your side.

I can never be without you,

And you are everything to me.

Therefore, I do not fear my fear, nor can any loss take me from your love,

For while you are with me, and you always are, I am complete.

You take my frail efforts and clothe them in grace to make wondrous beauty of my life,

And to make me, so cracked and worn, a channel of your peace.

You include me in your redeeming work to save others from despair and futility,

To rescue them, and set them free,

And in doing so, you rescue and set me free.

I adore you for who you are;

I adore you more for calling me your friend,

And even if there could ever come a time when I cannot be with you, even then I am content that you are still there, and calling others to be your friend.