As Thyself (poem by Sandra Luerssen Hoerner)

As Thyself (poem by Sandra Luerssen Hoerner)

As Thyself (poem by Sandra)

“AS THYSELF”

 

So often I had proudly said,

“I love my neighbor,”

(remembering the healing thoughts I’d fed

to friends in need,

the honor shown to parents,

the kindness shown to strangers,

the unselfed sacrifices in my day).

 

But this was not enough,

and in its quiet, heartfelt way

the Christly message came:

“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

 

Then I saw how incomplete

the circle of my love had been —

I’d felt no love for me.

Self-condemnation, doubt, inadequacy,

criticism’s barb and fear’s debris

had bound my thought.

 

“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

So I began to feed myself

constructive thoughts,

such as confidence, compassion,

and support ­–

truths all-powerful to thwart

destructive sense,

the error that would try

to crucify the Christ in me.

 

I learned how to pray–

protect my thought,

to assure myself each day,

“Beloved, you are God’s own,

completely free from sin.”

And as Love purified my sense of self,

I felt a warmth and joy within,

and a freedom I had never known.

Self-condemnation was dethroned.

 

Then I knew I loved my neighbor

even better than before,

for now I loved him as myself

and loved myself much more.

                        

by Sandra Luerssen Hoerner

I work to amplify good wherever I find it. I love color, texture, beauty, great ideas, nature, metaphor, deliciousness, genuine spirituality, and exploring new territory. I encourage authenticity, nurture creativity, champion sustainability, promote peace, and hope to foster a new renaissance where we all are free to be our most fulfilled, multifaceted, and terrific selves. Read more here.

4 Comments

  1. Gillian Smith 5 years ago

    Dear Polly, that has met an immediate need. A heartfelt thank you .

  2. Heather Dewey 5 years ago

    Beautiful, thanks for this ?

  3. ANeighbor 4 years ago

    If that wonderful woman Sandra, aka Sandi, were still here, she would have changed the last line of her poem, “As Thyself”, to read as follows . . .

    Then I knew I loved my neighbor
    better than before,
    for then I loved him as myself
    and loved him that much more.

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