Take the bread,
My child.
It is My gift to you.
But
as you hold out your hands
hold out also yourself.
As you uncurl your fingers
uncurl also your being.
Open yourself to My love.
Straighten up.
Stand tall.
You are a child of God;
My child.
I want you to know this.
I want you to be confident
of the place you have
in My heart.
I do not want
to see you
unsure;
uncertain.
I do not want
to see you
withdrawn;
ashamed;
distressed.
I want you to look at Me.
I want you to gaze at Me.
I want you to look
deep
and long
into My eyes;
long enough to see there
the love I have for you;
long enough to let it enter
your eyes,
your heart,
your soul;
long enough to let it burn away
all doubts;
all fears;
all feelings of unworthiness.
Therefore,
as you eat the bread
and
as you drink the wine
take them into yourself
as the gifts of My love;
My love for you
My precious child.
© Kathleen Wilks
About the author
Kathleen Wilks
I have been writing poems for a number of years now and many of them have been used as prayers in church services.
Recently I have started to write meditations. These are based on people in the Bible who met with Jesus.
Other meditations are to be read on a more personal level as God speaks to us, collectively or as individuals where we are now.
The meditations can be used in services, in study groups or in private.
I live in York, England, and worship at Holy Trinity Church, Heworth, and St Olave's Church in York.
I work as Property Manager for the Diocese of York in the Church of England.