When loneliness 
washed over me 
like the muddied waters 
of an infected stream, 
I was tempted to wallow there 
unredeemed. 
But then, I walked with You 
in the glory of Your Word – 
the brightest colors before me, 
all this fallen world a blur, 
and I remembered 
I 
am 
redeemed 
for I am Yours – 
so I opened my arms 
and Love received.

*With thanks to Henri Nouwan’s journal writings in The Inner Voice of Love