[I Came Before the Man]

I came before the man
and put in his hands
all the money I could spare
“Here is what I owe.”
I said
“That’s not enough.”
said the man

Again I came before the man
and put into his hands
all the good I had done
“Here is what I owe.”
I said
“That’s not what I want.”
said the man

I came before the man
and put into his hands
all the knowledge I possessed
“Here is what I owe.”
I said
“That will not do it.”
said the man

Again I came before the man
and put into his hands
the best performance I could muster
“Here is what I owe.”
I said
“That is insufficient.”
said the man

Then I came before the man
and fell on my knees
“There’s nothing else I can give you!”
I cried
“Give me all the wrong you have done.”
beckoned the man

So I came before the man
and put into his hands
all of my guilt
“Here is my sin.”
I whispered
“All of it I forgive!”
proclaimed the man

Then he came before me
and put into my hands
all of himself
“Here is my righteousness. Today you are my son!”
rejoiced the man