I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love

““When Israel was a child, I loved him,

And out of Egypt I called My son.

As they called them,

So they went from them;

They sacrificed to the Baals,

And burned incense to carved images.

“I taught Ephraim to walk,

Taking them by their arms;

But they did not know that I healed them.

I drew them with gentle cords,

With bands of love,

And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.

I stooped and fed them.”

Hosea 11:1-4

With the conviction of a river meandering through the land

And the steadfastness of the ground that cradles the river flow

That is how I am in relation to you.

I stand in awe of you LORD God of Abraham.

-EMH