Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. –Matthew 8:3 

An uncomfortable conversation 
sat in my belly undigested, 
occupying my thoughts, 
stopping the flow 
of oxygen. 

I looked up and saw 
Love. 
She gazed softly upon me, 
warming my skin, 
easing my heart. 

Love let the feelings rise– 
the shame of causing a problem, 
the fear I’m not enough, 
the disappointment that I’ve misunderstood
again. 

She invited me to turn
my soft gaze upon these darlings 
and the one who ignited them. 
Befriend them all  
and let them go, Love said. 
Let forgiveness flow. 

I breathed and imagined 
gazing softly, 
befriending, 
releasing.

Rest now. 
You’re safe, Love said. 
All is well. 

Peace. Be still. –Mark 4:39

Credits and References: 
Christ Healing a Leper by Rembrandt van Rijn by Picryl. Used with permission.
Cleansed by Esther Hizsa, 2025.
Calm morning sea and boat. Small boat on blue sea in Makarska, Croatia, summer 2020 by Martin Vorel. Used with permission

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2025.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2025.  http://www.estherhizsa.com