Led to Love

If I am led to love by gratitude,
then does not my compassion do the same?
And then more my compunction should intrude,
to know it is my sins that are to blame.

I found surcease of sorrow in my prayer,
in seeking mercy and forgiveness too,
yet prayer can also make me more aware
of how my sins have caused to suffer--You.

No longer only my imagination
suffices for what I already know--
my sins hurt every sensitive sensation
that cause Your wounds and all Your blood to flow.

If pity, thanks, and grief don’t lead to love,
I’ve no life here below nor there above.

                          by Pete Voelz      12/27/13
pmvoelz.blogspot.sg