For Dallas

His last words were “Thank you.”

Let these also be my parting words to you.

Thank you for opening my eyes to God’s great kingdom,

    the pearl of great price,

    the seed that grows all of itself.

Thank you for sharing your vision of Dr. Jesus,

                      Master of all reality,

        Teacher of all time.

Thank you for showing that eternal, abundant life begins now,

       being poured out as a gift of God

       as a blessing on other’s lives.

Thank you for the hymns you sang in the hallways,

           the scriptures you quoted without thinking,

           the kindness you showed in your silence.

Thank you, God, for the gift of this life,

        quiet laughter, intense thought,

        stinging wit, gentle hands,

        unhurried feet, eyes wide open,

        devoted heart, deep soul.

Thank you.