The Blessing

Precious daughter

Veiled from the truth of your soul

Cloaked under words of defilement

Mouthed by the misunderstanding

Believe truth now

Lift your eyes from your own description

Embrace that I have hidden you for a purpose

To protect you from permanent exploitation

I have waited for one who would love you

One who would embrace your love

One who deserved to know the truth of you

And you are released from the guise

That you have believed you are something less

Than special and beyond beautiful

I have protected you from yourself

Lest you grow proud in your beauty

And gazing into Narcissus' pond

Feed your flesh on their worship

And so I have allowed unkindness against you

Knowing that in it you would grow strong

Rooted in desire for true love

Secure in the home of your Father

Accepting of the lot you'd been dealt

So now then, to be awakened to union

Open yourself to the truth of new life

Your Bridegroom comes to you now

Receive him as he comes to live in you

Lift the veil and believe what he sees

Beauty untold, no longer hidden

Bear fruit for the One who chose you

Sons and daughters to carry the flame

You have sisters throughout all the earth

They have need of your gifts and your grace

First you, for you have been chosen

Then them, as one by one they call

Go forth then in emblazoned glory

'Til the One will be all in all

Stephen Pursell, 11/18/02

for Oroville and every precious daughter of Zion

who has walked the lonely road of pain and abuse