Mephibosheth

“The king said, ‘Is there anyone remaining of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?’” 2 Samuel 9:3a

intent on making sure

those who do not act

the way we think they should

are told off in no uncertain terms

we may not notice 

how they hunger for words

of grace and hope,

so busy gathering up

all the stones we can find

to be ready to hurl them

towards those who break

every rule we make up 

for them (but not us) to follow,

we may miss our chance

to build bridges across

the abyss of fear 

we have dug with our 

own hearts.

(c) 2023 Thom M. Shuman