Held by Heaven: A Poem from Indonesia

I have spent the last 12 days in Indonesia - Bali, Sumba island and Kupang island. Have had the privilege of blessing hundreds of people and watching their tears. I felt to capture one particular experience in a poem.

"Beautiful Jesus
I laid my hand upon her bowed head
And softly breathed, “Come, Holy Spirit, come;
Come clothed in love, and crowned with heaven’s power.”
Then silence held the room.

At first there came but one small trembling tear,
Then another, and another still,
Until the floodgates of the wounded heart
Could hold their burdened waters back no more.

And I spoke:
“I bless you with the healing of your wounds,
Those secret griefs long hidden in the soul.”
Then to my breast I drew her, and she wept—
Not with the shallow sorrow born of earth,
But with the deep release of pain unbound.
There on my chest her tears found holy leave
To flow and flow, till gentler grew the storm.
At length I loosed the embrace with tender care,
Yet still she sat, her handkerchief grown damp,
While quiet tears bore witness to His touch.
For Jesus, Healer of the broken heart,
Had reached through mortal hands to comfort her.
What grace is this—
That He should choose such vessels made of dust
To bear His love,
His healing,
And His embrace.
O beautiful Jesus”

A moment almost sacramental, where heaven and earth meet through a simple human touch.