I’d call them “the people I love,”
Except love means so many things;
Which is to say, it means nothing at all.
No, don’t get prissy; you know it’s true.
Calling them “the people I love,” might,
in someone’s mind, lump them in with
Sushi, long walks on the beach or ABBA,
All things someone, somewhere, “loves.”
So, if you don’t mind, I’ll call them
Something else: “the people I cherish.”
Quite simply, my heart is fused with
Theirs. Some of them know and like it;
Others might wish I were a tiny bit less
Connected. But it is what it is, and none
Of us is going to change the fact that I’m
Going to laugh when they laugh or echo
Their sighs. And when they bleed … oh,
Lord, when they bleed …. Well, you see
What I mean. They’re my cherished,
Clasped close to my heart and part of me.
So, they’re a fitting sacrifice. My Isaacs
Placed on the altar of the One I love best,
Entrusted to His care, because, no matter
How hard I try or how desperately I long to,
I can’t protect them from life. I can … and
Will … cherish ‘em ’til the cows come home,
But I can’t strengthen dear bodies or renew
Tired minds or heal tender, broken hearts.
What I can do is trust He can and will,
Fall on my knees and lay them before Him.
Don’t misunderstand: that’s not my last
Resort, but my first. Because to know Him
Is to know that He’s careful with that word,
Love, says it’s “strong as death,” and says
“Many waters cannot quench it, neither can
The floods drown it.” As a matter of fact, He
Says the man who thinks he can buy love,
Offering everything he owns, will be utterly
Despised. So when He says He loves
Me and the people I cherish, He’s serious.
So, Blessed Father, Lover of the ones my
Heart holds so dear, please cradle each one
In Your loving hands today, and breathe into
Each heart comfort, hope, joy and peace.
If they’re sick, heal them; strengthen those
Who feel weak. And, Dearest Abba, if You’d
Be so kind, let them feel You near as You
Bathe them in Your tender care. Let them
Taste Your kiss. Kiss them for me.
And thank You for cherishing them, too.
