Ephraim

When I was a child you
loved me.

Calling me out of my depression
over and over.

The more I heard my name, the
more I ran (away).

I forgot it was you who taught me to walk. I forgot
how gently you took me up in your arms and healed me
over and over.

Leading me on cords of kindness
in bands of love we walked.

Like a father, you lifted me to your cheek.
You even bent down to feed me.

I didn’t know it was you
I forgot.

And now I’ve been captured by depression (again).

I can faintly see the land
you promised me long ago—are you still calling?



*Hosea 11:3-5:
³ It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.

⁴ I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from their neck
and bent down to feed them.

⁵ "Will they not return to Egypt
and will not Assyria rule over them
because they refuse to repent?