Jesus walked this lonesome valley,
he had to walk it by himself;
O, nobody else could walk it for him,
he had to walk it by himself.(African American spiritual)
God, hold my feet to the heat
of this lonesome valley spiritual,
for only Jesus is so lonely,
only Jesus,
and, therefore, when I find
anyone walking on that path alone —
even the cranky or tiresome,
the perpetually needy,
or someone unlike me in every way,
send me to that valley —
to walk, push my walker,
roll my chair, tap my white cane,
un-sprint my evening run,
hurry the dog,
ignore my grocery list,
and become their companion.
Yes, God, that spiritual reminds me
that I may have to face a trial
all by myself,
and that will be as it may be,
(though I know you have my back,
front, side, and my heart)
but don’t let me ever leave
one of your children
to take any lonesome path alone.
amen
Gifts in Open Hands 