The Mercy That Remains When Courage Fails

 The Mercy That Remains When Courage Fails

Beneath the trees,
boxes open on the sidewalk.

Someone bends to find a shirt.
Someone reaches across
the space between two hands.

Morning touches the buildings.
Here, in their shade,
a life needs help
getting through the day.

There are hours
when courage cannot rise,
when the next step
asks more than the body has.

Even the prayer grows quiet.

Mercy kneels close enough
to hear it.

“Take your time.
I am here.”

The mercy that remains
when courage fails.

A cup is held steady.
A garment is unfolded.
The person searching
is given room to choose.

Grace attends
to the smallest movement:
a sleeve drawn over an arm,
a burden shared,
a breath allowed to settle.

At the center stands the cross.

Christ knows the weight
of a body brought low,
the thirst,
the cry from within abandonment.

Into that suffering
he gives his love.

And on this sidewalk,
among food and folded clothes,
we learn to offer
what we have received.

The wounded Christ
and the serving Christ—
two as one.

Some days I bend to lift.
Some days I need
the hand extended toward me.

Lord,
when courage leaves me,
let me receive your mercy.

When my neighbor falters,
give me patience to stay.

Let the open boxes empty.
Let the hands keep meeting.
Let no one have to earn
the care that helps them rise.

Emmanuel.
Amen.

Pastor Steven G. Lee
Street GMC Corps
October 2, 2026

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