Poem April 1, 2005

Yielding to aforetime (after footwashing)

Lois Carlson

Originally appeared on spirituality.com

Forgiveness doesn't perpetuate ignorance,
carelessness or cold disdain.
It is the foundation on which these dissolve.

This forgiveness is what was given aforetime.
It empowers every first step,
every effort for reform,
every unselfed deed done despite ourselves.

This is how the loaves and fishes are multiplied
so we can feed more than ourselves;
This is what washes our feet so we can see
that the dirt wasn't embedded;
This is why those tables in the wilderness are
prepared
even before the enemy has left.

The fear of having lost yields
to the adventure of welcoming
the All-in-all who secures
not only all the details,
But the grace, the redemption and the freedom.