Heather Jephcott writes

Bathing In Grace

Needing to step into 

a bath of grace 

every day.

It is already prepared 

for me. 

Let me not back away,

but jump in, 

splashing, 

allowing the gentle water 

of loving grace 

to cover all.

 

This is a pure, free, 

beautiful,

soaking bath, 

cleansing me 

of my own ineptitude, 

all my failures, 

my botched trying, 

all the dirt, the impurities 

that dwell thick in my ugly pride. 

All can seep out 

and are washed away.

I hear the kind, soft call 

to come

to take my bath 

already made ready for me. 

I move quickly, 

knowing my need, my filth.

I remove the dirty clothes, 

soaked in the sweat 

of a mind that overworks,

of a body that feels threats

from other voices,

but never from the one 

who has prepared my bath.

Stepping in,

lying down,

covered by water

warming my chilled heart

enabling it to open again,

the foaming soap

taking away the depressing negatives

and bringing out smiles,

calm, sweetness.

Breathing in the delightful, love-filled, fragrance

of this room.

This is also a bath of preparation. 

I come out cleaned, 

renewed, fresh, 

ready to go on 

helping me to give out 

what I have received.

 

 The Baptism of the Christ -- Daniel Bonnell