I am Mephibosheth

After 2 Samuel 9:1-13 

I am Mephibosheth,

citizen of a fallen house,

a hose condemned,

a house consumed

by its own anger

and wrath, destroyed

by its own hand.

 

I am Mephibosheth,

crippled since birth,

son of the man who

loved his friend, who

sacrificed his own

position and rank and

his father’s favor.

 

I am Mephibosheth,

expecting to be killed,

desiring to die, instead

finding myself elevated,

and blessed.

 

Photograph by Intricate Explorer via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Sunday Readings

 

The Welcome – poem by Andrew Roycroft at New Grub Street.

 

“The House of Christmas,” poem by G. K. Chesterton – Joseph Bottum at Poems Ancient and Modern.

 

An Advent Reflection: The Ox – Elizabeth Sudlow at The Imaginative Conservative.

What King Would Come Like This? The Surprising Advent of Jesus – David Mathis at Desiring God.

The Great Disconnect: When the Pulpit and the Pew Aren’t Speaking the Same Language – Tripp Fuller and Ryan Burge at Process This.

Called to the presence

After 2 Samuel 9:1-13 

Called to the presence 

of the king, expecting

to be killed as was

the custom, anticipating

his end to a life marked

by crippling lameness,

the fear in his heart

palpable, he’s instead

presented something

else, a promise

remembered, a friendship

honored, the son of his

friend lifted up, blessed,

not only in words but

with restoration of family

wealth, a picture of love,

divine love.

 

Photograph by William Krause via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

An Advent Reflection: Fuel – Elizabeth Sudlow at The Imaginative Conservative.

 

Christmas in the Garden – Eric Geiger.

 

A Song for the Other Side of Christmas – Andrew Roycroft at New Grub Street.

 

Midwinter Light at Christ Church – Spitalfields Life.

 

It Isn’t Night for the Moon – Seth Lewis.

 

“The Burning Babe,” poem by Robert Southwell – Sally Thomas at Poems Ancient and Modern.

Protected

After 2 Samuel 9:1-13 

Protected by his friend,

saved to avert his murder

at the hands of the king,

he shares a covenant,

house to house, a love

again demonstrated 

by the acknowledgement

of what had to happen.

The relationship was sealed

in promise and love, and

he showed that love and

he showed that faithfulness,

by protecting the son

of his friend, and more so,

by blessing the son

of his friend.

 

Photograph by Jed Owen via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Sunday Readings

 

Into the Unknown – Melissa Edgington at Your Mom Has a Blog.

 

Is Joy in Jess a Christian Obligation? – John Piper at Desiring God.

A kindness shown

After 2 Samuel 9:1-13 

A kindness shown,

a steadfast love displayed,

to the son of his friend

slain in battle,

the grandson of the man

who tried to kill him,

a kindness shown

because it was time 

to forgive.

 

And more than kindness,

an honor, a tribute

to the friend he loved,

one soul in two bodies,

severed. Some might

have eliminated all and

any potential rivals;

instead, he showed

kindness, she showed

mercy, he showed

blessing.

 

Photograph by Masjid Pogung Dalangan via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

“A Message for the New Baby,” poem by Luci Shaw – D.S. Martin at Kingdom Poets.

 

Four Advent Villanelles by Anna Friedrich – The Rabbit Room.

 

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” – Anthony Esolen at Word and Song.

 

The Empty Chair at Christmas – Daniel Darling at One Little Word.

 

“On Change of Weather,” poem by Francis Quarles – Sally Thomas at Poems Ancient and Modern.