“Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”

Why did he ask if I would like to be made whole?
Is it possible that this man called Jesus could actually make me whole again?
That would be beyond my fondest dreams, but . . .

I always miss the angels;
my timing’s always off;
someone always gets there first.
Others are quicker than I,
quicker to learn, to know.
I’m destined to stay here for life.

“Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” 1
That’s what he told me.
He was so sure.
He knew I could.
He made me believe I could.
His trust in God 
became mine,
and I did.

I thought I was unworthy of healing.
He didn’t.
I rose;
I took up my bed;
I walked.

It took him seeing me
for me to see me,
the man of God’s creating, 
the man I had always been.

—Lona Ingwerson

1  John 5:8

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