I See the Image of Christ in my Son, Lord

I See the Image of Christ in my Gay Son, Lord

I held him in my hand when he was newly born;

Perfect and innocent, filling me with joy.

I held his hand at his first steps,

I watched him play and smile and talk.

This boy that I have been given,

Has been a gift and my joy,

With a voice that touches the heavens,

And hands that bring music.

He is unique and he is gifted,

And his smile lights up a room.

But the greatest gift I see in him, Lord,

Is that he reminds me of You.

I see love in his eyes and hear trust in his voice,

He cares more readily for others.

I have taught him all Thou hast given me, Lord,

And he has become a better man than I.

I see the Image of Christ in my gay son, Lord,

He is chaste and young and pure.

But we need a new way to live today,

To fill with joy and hope and love.

He is Yours, Lord, and he is mine,

So let us set his feet

On a path that leads him back to You,

As Thou hast made him - perfect and complete.

By Tom Montgomery

With Jordan Montgomery’s permission

Not because my son is gay but is Special Needs, this poem resonates with me. As I sat on the stand for a small part in the Christmas program last December, I looked down at my son in the audience and I thought: What if Jesus has already come again? What if he is in our congregation? Would we recognize Him?  Or did I just see the image of Christ in my son, so chaste and young and pure?

                                  He's My Son 

                               by Dallyn Vail Bayles 

                               

I’m down on my knees again tonight,
I’m hoppin’ this prayer will turn out right.
See, there is a boy that needs Your help.
I’ve done all that I can do myself
His mother is tired,
I’m sure You can understand.
Each night as he sleeps
She goes in to hold his hand,
And she tries
Not to cry
As the tears fill her eyes.

Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place somehow.
See, he’s not just anyone, he’s my son.

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep,
I dream of the boy he’d like to be.
I try to be strong and see him through,
But God, who he needs right now is You.
Let him grow old,
Live life without this fear.
What would I be
Living without him here?
He’s so tired,
And he’s scared
Let him know that You’re there.

Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place some how.
See, he’s not just anyone, he’s my son.

Can You hear me?
Can You see him?
Please don’t leave him,
He’s my son.