Jesus never said
Nor would He ever sneer
“Get over it; just suck it up”
But instead…
He’ll catch and store each tear*

This Captain never sighed
“You’ve missed the boat again!”
“You’ve really dropped the ball this time”
Nope, rewind…
Fresh starts, He’ll ever send

This Shepherd has not scoffed
“How could you veer so badly?”
“Just give up now; you’re off the track”
Oh, pish posh…
He’ll cheer and steer you gladly

The Word did not express
Nor would He whatsoever
“Your life’s a helpless, hopeless mess”
So don’t stress...
Give up on you, He’d never

This Doctor has not spoken
Through Scripture or Tradition
“You’re past repair; you’re just too broken”
By the same token…
Your wholeness? His whole mission

The Savior did not state
Nor ever will He tell you
“Your guilt’s too great to be erased”
Or “God helps those who help themselves!”**
Or “You will get what you deserve”
Au contraire…
From every shameful slav’ry, He’ll unsell you
*****
*”You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle” (Psalm 56:8, ESV).

**”Without me you can do nothing” (John 15)