I AM THADDAEUS

‘I am Thaddaeus.’

How am I known?

Is there confusion?

I have been given three names;

Be assured, I am Thaddaeus!

I am told that I have travelled,

As far east as Edessa,

Close to what is Urfa!

I am credited with writing,

Not frequently, possibly a précis.

I do know that I came to the Lord;

To Jesus, the Christ, Saviour and Redeemer.

He who took me and my imperfection,

He nurtured and fed me,

Not only with physical food, but spiritually.

I was one of the younger followers;

Headstrong often, patient rarely;

I heard those words that healed me,

Removed me from a life of depravity,

Prepared me for fellowship.

I first felt drawn to this Teacher,

By His persistence and good nature.

He rebuked the bully and comforted the weak.

He sat down amongst the lowest,

Spoke kindly and remained steadfast.

The words spoken were often clear,

Seldom misleading in parable,

Frequently explained for us to comprehend.

Words tested and challenged,

Verified by demonstration and example.

The early days were the best!

Here I, a youngster, impressed,

Responded to kindness and I was addressed

As an equal to many of those

Who had taken and declared the Word.

My days were filled with caring,

Friendship and understanding.

By a group who were a strong brotherhood.

But we were not alone,

Our sisters helped us and kept us as one.

There were difficult times ahead,

After the ruckus at Gethsemane.

The nights were long, as were the days,

Where we indoors remained,

Waiting for an end to the calamity.

We tried to encourage each other

By remembering the greatest events.

A few of us were strong,

Knowing the outcome could not be wrong.

The waiting would bring result.

Filled with the presence of Holy Spirit,

I followed my path and left the city,

Prepared to wander and test charity.

And yes I did give account of myself,

For I knew the love of Christ extended to me!

May 6th. 1996 © Will George.