The news of your struggle beckoned me
And I came without hesitation
My hands are empty
But my heart is full
I possess no antidote for that which ails you
But I offer my shoulder for you to lean upon
I have come to hold your trembling hands
And to help raise a cup to your parched lips
I have come to change the dressing on your wound
And to fight against infection
I will offer no explanation
For things I could not possibly know
I will make no bold predictions of miraculous deliverance
Lest the Lord Himself speak them over you
I have come with an economy of words
And an abundance of tears
With attentive ears
And ceaseless prayers
I don’t know where this road will take us
But I am resolved that you not travel it alone