Patient Love

Think of the souls wandering under the power of darkness.
When the lights go out even for a moment, do you not grope your way along?
You know where everything is, and even what each thing is for,
yet you cannot move as you please.
In the same way, those under the power of darkness
know that what they do is filthy and that they need to escape it,
but they feel so unclean that they cannot come out into the light.
Then you must see
their parched spirits, longing for even a single drop of water.
Go to them, who feel too unclean to mix with you;
wash them with the word, and wash them again, and when they have gained assurance,
lead them out to the stream that flows on and on.
That is the way that leads to the light,
the way that leads to living water that leaves no thirst.
So you must not judge any soul,
nor are you to give up on any.