Everyone passes through Gethsemane

Everyone passes through Gethsemane

Everyone passes through Gethsemane
my mother to me said
those words stay in my heart

I knew that she had sweated blood
had times alone in agony
a path she did not want to follow
where she could only cry out Abba
please take this cup from me
though my own will I surrender
you are good and hold me ever
in your steadfast love

Darkness fell and the night was long
but resurrection came
and she grew contented
grateful for all that she’d been given
what once she was ashamed about
no longer did she have that burden
thankful to receive each blessing
help that came her way
and would often say
where sin abounded
grace did ever more abound

Proud of us, she said, her greatest achievement
though at times I’m sure we let her down
she held us together, the gift of Love in her
through her suffering knew human pain
what it was like to be imperfect

If this her journey was
how much it shows the Christ
watching and waiting through darkest night
mother love of the Father, flowing Trinity
seeking to embrace, out love our fears
longing to gather us together

May we not fall asleep
as we learn to die gracefully receiving
maybe too can dare to think
along with all creation
each of us worth dying for
in Love’s eyes.