Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack’d anything.
“A guest,” I answer’d, “worthy to be here:”
Love said, “You shall be he.”
“I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on Thee.”
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
“Who made the eyes but I?”
“Truth, Lord; but I have marr’d them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.”
“And know you not,” says Love, “Who bore the blame?”
“My dear, then I will serve.”
“You must sit down,” says Love, “and taste my meat.”
So I did sit and eat.
– George Herbert
Why do I love this poem? The last stanza breaks my heart with its beauty. God says don’t worry about what you’ve done, about what you deserve – that’s been paid for. Then I’ll serve you – let me feed your sheep, shovel manure, tend your gardens, sweep your floors. And God says, sit down at my table, my son, and eat with me – fill yourself up.
