Be Careful what you Ask For…

(Acts 3: 1-10 at the Beautiful Gate)

He had sat there for so long

people didn’t see him any more

Just another beggar, with his cup,

and his sadness, and his dirty cloak

wrapping him up against the

dust and the grime

kicked up by so many feet passing, passing,

always passing by.

Each day he cried out for alms,

for help, for someone to notice him;

each day the same meagre pickings,

pennies dropped to ease guilt

to assuage the sensibilities of the whole and hearty ones.

Each day, the same, the same,

the same until this day.

Until this day.

When it all changed;

“look at us” they respond.

“Look at us.”

So he looked - hope-filled, curious, what would they give him?

He looked.

He heard.

They saw.

They offered a hand and he.

Leapt!