Fish,Woodsmoke & Travel-Stained Love

There's dust on your feet, Lord

from the road, you walked

It seems almost disrespectful thinking of you like that

but it's true.

Dirt under your fingernails

sweat trickling down your back

as you walked the rough tracks in Galilee

Your seamless robe

is spotless in the paintings

but life says otherwise.

There must have been times when it smelt of fish and woodsmoke

That's good Lord.

It feels good to know

that you were part, are part, of human living.

That your words, your love

are travel-stained.

Born in the turmoil of human relationships,

nurtured in human need.

I thank you

that salvation comes to me

in flesh and blood

gift-wrapped in reality.

Lord help me to live it

grow my life around it, now.

Help me to take the strength that I need for today

from the sure knowledge

that salvation surrounds me

There’s dust on your feet, Lord.

That comforts me.

Because when I’m tired,

and vulnerable,

and hurting

I see you look at me,

and smile.

I hear you say

I know

Eddie Askew