human being,
you carry gifts,
God’s image sits
with you
	as you are.

the world calls you weak,
	disfigured,
	lame.
we see your strengths,
	call you by name.
some say you’re unwanted,
	unlovable,
	worth
	less.
we know we’ve been
part of the mess;
we do confess—
that was before,
that was when,
	our eyes,
we kept set,
we didn’t let
	the wise
words, swirl;
the ways
	of Christ,
	twirl—
transform, restart
our minds, our hearts.

human being,
you carry gifts,
God’s image sits
with you
	as you are.

some say you need healing;
we won’t assume you’re feeling
	or asking us to pray
	a particular way.

we all have limits to face,
dependence to embrace,
need for God and grace,
deep longings for place.
 
you’re no stranger to us;
a mutual friend we trust.
we welcome you close
as guest and host.

we'll listen and care
	build communities that share,
	the highs and lows,
	happy and hard.

we'll protect, we’ll guard,
	honor your life,
	the story you tell,
	learn to love you well.

disability, disabled—
	ignore the labels.
none should mean
you aren’t seen.
none define
you in God’s mind—
	you are made.
	Jesus reveals,
	Spirit seals;
	true identity
	will never fade.

human being,
you carry gifts,
God’s image sits
with you
	as you are.

the same Spirit lives
in both you and me.
the same Spirit gives
each ability:
	chances to serve,
	speak hopeful words
	or prophesy;
	powers to heal,
	and help or feel,
	sense a need,
	when to lead;
	knowledge of teaching,
	or maybe preaching,
	guides of giving,
	faithful living.
 
we are the broken
without
	your voice spoken,
	your presence known,
	your gifts shared and shown.

we want you here.
we need you near.
we have a place
for you
	as you are.

come share your heart,
	your mind,
	strength, and soul.
you play a part,
	an important role.
we'll be your hands,
we’ll be your feet,
	whatever you need.
come to the table,
	however able.
we belong to each other,
sister and brother.
one Body we form,
	renewed and reborn,
	different,
	diverse.
apart is worse.
one we should be;
	together is key.
come take your seat;
the Body of Christ—
complete
with you
	as you are.

human being,
you carry gifts,
God’s image sits
with you
	as you are.

NOTE: Written from the perspective of the Church, or the collective Body, to a person with a disability, or an individually, disabled body.