Commissioned by the Wesley Study Group of the North Texas Conference to honor Dr. William Stephenson

There Is No Human Quality

There is no human quality

that outshines love and loyalty.

The two are mirrors of the One

who took on flesh in Christ the Son.

There is no trait so God-inspired

as love that walks into the fire

of hatred, greed and selfishness,

equipped to care and bound to bless.

There is no habit of the heart

no act so rare, so set apart,

as covenantal loyalty;

a sober, centered constancy.

Make us, O God, the grateful heirs

of those whose energy and care

provide foundations for us all

as we attempt to heed your call.

© 2007 John Thornburg