As Thyself (poem by Sandra Luerssen Hoerner)

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“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

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