Do you remember me as I was
when they first brought me before you?
Death was my sentence.
In my cage of wooden slats
on a rickety cart
wheeled before You
shame, humiliation my only adornments
Like an animal I had lived,
a wild donkey sniffing the wind
now cast aside
overlooked
abandoned
I loved You when I first saw You
hanging in that church
hanging on the cross
hanging above the altar
hanging above us
hanging for us–they said
But it was a distant love
love of a kind stranger
But I loved You so much more
that day in the market
when You lifted my head
not like the others
estimating my worth
with a critical eye
mindful of my many flaws
Yours was a tender evaluation
seeing me–the real me
hidden beneath
caked on
baked on
mud and manure
hair a stringy mess
face taut with hunger
no muscle or beauty to commend me
I felt something from you that day
something for me
not against me
a leaning towards me
not recoiling from me
a longing for me
a desire to be with me
near me
I watched in disbelief
as You emptied your purse
heavy, gold coins spilling into his hands
You insisted he take it all
“She is,” You tell him, “Worth every coin.”
A pearl of great price
a treasure hidden in a field
sought after
wanted
My life starts that day
You draw me
enthrall me
with Your words,
so many beautiful words.
Words of hope, comfort and encouragement first:
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.
Weeping may endure for night, but joy comes in the morning.
I collect all your tears in a bottle–I see your sorrow.
I place the solitary in families.
I will restore the years the hordes of locust have eaten.
I know the plans I have for you, plans for good,
plans to give you a future full of hope.
I have searched you and I know you.
I understand your thoughts.
I am acquainted with all your ways.
I will lead you and my right hand will hold you.
I am for you; not against you.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
I will deliver you from every trap and snare
they lay for you to try and capture you.
I will heal all your diseases.
I will drive away the terror at night.
My truth and my words will protect you.
My angels will watch over you.
When you call on Me, I will answer.
When you are in trouble, I will come and get you.
I will never leave you or forsake you.
We will always be together–forever
Those words and so many more
cascading over me
like riparian springs
of living water
a healing balm to my soul
they buoy me up
they give hope
but what pierces my heart
and tethers me to You
are Your words of intimate love for me:
I have loved you with an everlasting love.
I will quiet you with My love;
I will rejoice over you with singing.
I loved you so much I gave up everything,
My honor, My status, My own family,
that you might live and be together with me
as my wife forever.
You are My beloved and I am yours.
And so my King,
on this our wedding day
I confess:
it was Your kindness that drew me
Your words that made me clean
thus my life, I submit to you
rightfully
willingly
fully yielding all
take me
and make me
Your own–for eternity.
MaryBeth Mullin 2020
