When I Needed the Lord

It is an astounding reality that God’s people are his hands and feet, his Spirit-filled presence in this temporary world. I wrote this poem in response to my gratitude to him for the church (and our local church). I pray it encourages you to be the body of Christ to others, and to let others be the body of Christ to you.

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When I needed the Lord to hold my hand

So I would know I’m not alone

To walk this dark road by myself

He sent you to me—my friend.

When I needed the Lord to patiently tend

My aching heart, my wandering thoughts,

To help me make sense of myself

He sent you to me—my friend.

So, you see, you are God’s image

And the body of Christ

And his Spirit’s home. 

When he gave me you, he gave me himself

So I would know I am never alone.

When I needed the Lord to give me bread,

His daily manna for my wants,

To strengthen me and hold me up

He sent you to me—my friend.

When I needed the Lord to come and defend

My faith, to hold me fast in doubt,

To cast out fear and dispel shame   

He sent you to me—my friend.

So, you see, you are God’s gift

Of grace—his church!—

How he makes himself known. 

When he gave me you, he gave me himself

So I would know I am never alone.

When I needed the Lord to strongly attend

To my weakness, both in body and soul,

He prayed for me, and used your prayers.

He sent you to me—my friend.

When I needed the Lord to understand,

To hear me wonder, cry, and grieve,

He mercifully led you to my side.

He sent you to me—my friend.

So, you see, you are God’s love,

His strengthening hand—

You have made him known. 

When he gave me you, he gave me himself

So I would know I am never alone.