Were there tears in your eyes as you spotted the mountain-

As you answered your servant’s questions?

Did you blame it on the sand and sun

While your heart screamed out

Did you hear yourself say,

“I will obey . . . No matter the cost.”

Did your feet grow heavy as you took each step?

Did your eyes fix on your son?

Did your mind drift back

To long gone delights

Of baby’s coos . . . and sweet sounds

Of child’s laughter?

Did you hear yourself say,

“I will obey . . . No matter the cost.”

Did your arms grow weak as you stacked wood?

Did you remember the first time you held him in your arms?

As now you lifted him to an alter.

This was not how you had pictured it.

Did your hand tremble as you lifted the knife

To kill your only son?

Did you hear your heart say,

“I will obey . . . No matter the cost.”

Was there a moment when you wondered

About this God who asked such a price

Did you question His goodness for even a moment

Returning to the certainty

Of things you’d heard

Of things you’d seen

Did you hear yourself say,

“I will obey . . . No matter the cost.”

Oh Abraham, tell me about that day!

I need to know!

For I am there

Laying down all my dreams.

To know your questions . . .

To know your heart . . .

I’d be surer of mine

As I hear my heart say,

“I will obey . . . No matter the cost.”

Written November 2003

Copyright 2003