October 1989

I stood aside

my head a storm of thought

asking God:

how could those

who love you, Lord

persist in their sin;

knowing their error

and continue in it?

Do you still forgive us

even as we open your wounds?

Ages later,

too long almost,

the answer came:

Not by works or deeds

of good or bad

are you saved

but by my mercy.

Only.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  (Titus 3:4-5)