After the teaching of their elders, my devotees
Glorify me, for none is greater;
Fear me, for none is more powerful;
Love me, for none cherishes
Them more dearly, and
Trust in me, for I shelter them
From harm and bring them joy.
Believing in me, they put me on
As a coat of wool, and
My love warms them and
Brings them comfort.
Trusting in me, they put me on
As a suit of armor, and
My strength protects them from harm and
Gives them hope.
Loving me, they call out to me,
Addressing me as Father,
In recognition of
The bond between us.
Honoring me, they pray to me;
Addressing me as Lord, they
Reach out to me, for
I am their joy and their hope.
--- *** ---
Together, they come to me;
Bringing me their praise
In verse or in song and
Humbling themselves before me,
They return to their lives refreshed.
Alone, they come to me;
Bringing me their sorrows and needs and
Leaving them at my altar,
They return to their lives comforted and filled.
In their guilt, as well, they come to me;
Seeking forgiveness for acts
Enjoined out of
Desires of body and mind, and
Certain of my mercy,
They return to their lives renewed.
Repenting, my devotees come to me;
Fearing my anger and
Seeking the grace which
Their faith guarantees
Is theirs without condition,
They return to their lives,
Determined to change and to
Live lives pleasing in my eyes.
--- *** ---
Approaching me directly or through
The saints and the prophets,
My devotees come to me with
Their petitions, with
The hope that I might
Extend my grace to them and those they love.
That for which they petition coming to pass,
My devotees express their gratitude and
Their faith is increased and
Strengthened thereby.
Their desires remaining unfulfilled, they
Condemn me not, but
Wondering at the mystery of my ways and
Trusting in me, they return
To their lives where,
Once again, they
Reach out to me.