Seeing

Dear God,
I need to see myself

as you see me.
My own vision is fragmented.
I try to divide up my life
and reject those parts of me
I consider to be weak.
I waste time and energy
in the battle of self against self
and Lord, I always end up the loser.

Dear God,
help me to see myself
as you see me.
I forget that you made me just as I am
and that you delight in your creation.
You do not ask me to be strong
you simply ask me to be yours.
You do not expect me to reject my weaknesses,
merely to surrender it to your healing touch.
Dear God,
when I can see myself
as you see me,
then I will understand
that this frail, tender, fearful, aching, singing,
half-empty, shining, shadowed person
is a whole being made especially by you
for your love. (Joy Cowley)