Even There 

Before the song, before the light,  
in hush of dawn or darkest night, 
when words fall short, or none appear-- 
-God listens. Even there.
 
In broken hallelujahs rung, 
by weary hands or trembling tongue, 
through shadows deep or plaintive prayer-- 
-God listens. Even there.

 
When gladness dances, sorrow sighs,
beneath bright stars or stormy skies,
when fear and faith bring one to prayer
-God listens. Even there.

 
In grateful praise and quiet plea,
 by lifted hand or bended knee,
through silence deep when burdens tear
- God listens. Even there.

 
So let the music now arise, 
from longing hearts and tear-stained eyes; 
He hears us, meets us, leads us near-- 
-God listens. Even here.

© Don Stott.  Eliab.com June 28. 2025
Listen to the Song version of "Even There"
© Words&Music Don Stott, Eliab.com

 At the King’s Table
(A monologue from the perspective of Mephibosheth, reflecting on his journey from obscurity to the royal table.)

(Mephibosheth sits on the floor of the palace, gazing at the grand banquet table before him. His voice is quiet, filled with awe and gratitude.)

I never imagined I would see the inside of this palace, let alone sit at the king’s table.For years, I lived in Lo-debar—a place whose name itself means “no pasture,” a land of barrenness, forgotten by the world. I was the son of Jonathan, grandson of Saul, but that meant nothing now. When my father fell in battle, and my grandfather’s reign came to an end, I was only five years old. Fear gripped my nurse as she fled with me, and in that desperate escape, I fell—crippling both my feet forever.
A crippled boy. A remnant of a fallen dynasty. What hope could I have?
I learned to survive in obscurity, never expecting kindness, only waiting for the inevitable: a summons to my destruction. After all, was it not common for kings to eliminate any descendants of their predecessors? Did David not have every reason to wipe out Saul’s line?
And then, one day, the summons came.
David—King David—had sent for me.
I was carried to Jerusalem, trembling with every step. Would I die today? Would my name be blotted out as a final stroke of justice for the house of Saul?
I was brought before the throne. My body was low, my heart lower still. But then—his voice.
"Mephibosheth," he said. My name, spoken without threat.
I dared to answer. “Behold, I am your servant.”
The silence stretched, but not with wrath—no, something else lingered in the air. Mercy.
"Do not fear," he said. And in that moment, I breathed for the first time in years.
"I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan."
Jonathan. My father. A man who had loved David, defended him, covenanted with him in loyalty and friendship. A promise had been made long before my birth, and now, even with Jonathan gone, David remained faithful.
I braced myself for what would follow. Perhaps a token of mercy, a small provision. I never expected the words that came next.
"You shall eat at my table always."
Always? Surely, he did not mean—surely, he did not intend to--
Yet here I sit. At the table of the king.
Not as a crippled outcast. Not as a remnant of a broken house. But as a son.
The shame of my brokenness is covered here; no one looks at my feet. They see only the seat reserved for me.
What king does this? What ruler spares an enemy’s grandson, not merely to live, but to belong?
This is not the justice of men—this is the kindness of God.
(Mephibosheth looks up, his voice softening.)

Mercy found me in Lo-debar. Mercy lifted me to the throne room. Mercy placed me at the king’s table.
I have done nothing to deserve this, yet here I am.
Grace. This is grace.
(He pauses, then slowly reaches for the bread before him, as the lights fade.)

A Seat of Grace
(A poem inspired by 2 Samuel 9. The story of David and Mephibosheth.)
In Lo-debar, he hides from foes
A broken man with nothing, knows
His name was once of noble breath,
Yet now he faces fear and death.,

A crippled child, from a fallen line,
His shattered past, no hope to find.
A king now rules, his throne is vast--
Would mercy come, or shame still last?

Then word arrived, a call so strange,
 King David summoned him by name!
His heart beat wild, his thoughts ran deep,
Would judgment come? Now time to weep?

Before the throne, he bowed so low,
Expecting wrath—expecting woe
Yet David spoke, "Do not be scared,
For Jonathan, your father, cared."

"For love he bore, and bonds we made,
This kindness now shall never fade.
Your father’s house I now restore,
Your brokenness is lost no more."

And then his words—so rich, so true,
"You'll eat with me, be made anew."
A seat was set, a place was found,
Where once was loss, now grace abounds.

Not by his strength, nor by his name,
But endless love, no longer blame.
The crippled child now robed with worth,
Sat at the table, graced from birth.

So take this hope, O heart distressed,
No wound nor shame shall leave you pressed."
For grace still seeks the lost, the lame--
God calls them forth, restored by name. 

DonSong. (c) Eliab.com May 2025
A Seat Of Grace
Song versions by Don Stott Lyrics and music (c) Eliab.com , June 27. 2025 

Who Touched Me? – A monologue
The woman who touched Jesus cloak 
( Mark 5:21-43, Matt.9:20-22,Luke 8:43-48)

             The lady stood near the edge of the large crowd. People had come from everywhere just to see “The Teacher, Jesus”.  The lady hesitated a moment and then she quickly covered her face with her scarf and moved forward into the pack of people. For twelve long years this woman had been very sick. Once she’d had money, friends and family close by but now all her money was spent on seeking cures from many doctors to try and make her well but still each day she felt worse!
              When she had woken up this morning the woman knew what she had to do. She had heard of Jesus. The whole village had been talking about Jesus’ teaching, healing and what had happened across the lake.

                  Now was the moment!  With her head down she pushed forward through the lively crowd. Her heart was racing and her mind was fixed on one thing. ‘If only, if only I can touch Jesus’ clothes I will be healed!’ Closer, closer, now behind where Jesus was standing. Many people were now pressing in all around him. She lowered her arm and reached her hand past the bodies before her towards the edge ( hem) of  Jesus cloak. A final push and then.. Time seemed to stop. Immediately, the woman felt something!  Changed …now healing, relief, peace.
                     But then, Jesus turned suddenly and declared. “Who touched my clothes?”  His friends beside him called out “look around you Master. This crowd is huge! Everyone wants to be near you and to hear you”. Jesus stood still and kept looking from side to side. The woman now faced Jesus and she cautiously came forward. She looked up into Jesus eyes and then fell forward onto her knees shaking with fear. So many emotions flooded her thoughts. Would people recognise her?  She had crossed many boundaries just to be there that day. Is this real? Then she spoke with a faltering voice. “Teacher, it was me! I touched you.
           Jesus looked straight at her and then clearly said to everyone. “Daughter, your faith has healed you! Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.!”

Healing, relief, and now acceptance…
           And this wasn’t the end of the healing miracles that day.
 We don’t know the name of this lady healed in the crowd or what happened to her next but no doubt her life was changed that moment. The woman showed great faith in trusting Jesus to heal her.

What do you need to reach out in prayer to Jesus for today?
Healing, forgiveness, peace, acceptance? 

© Don Stott, Eliab.com 2025

https://www.eliab.com/fathers-day-for-jairus.html
Keep the faith, no need to fear,
Jesus' love is always near.
Reach for him, He'll show the way,
Guiding every single day.
Keep the faith, no need to fear,
Jesus' love is always near!
(Chant with action at the end of each line or
sing to the tune of “Twinkle, twinkle Little Star”)no need to fear,
 lo is always near.
Rfor him, He'll show the way,
Guiding every single day.
Keep the faith, no need to fear,
Jesus' love is always near.
Reach for him, He'll show the way,
Guiding every single day.
 

.O behold upon the infant brow,
The King of Kings, so humble now.
No golden crown, no palace grand
Just lowly straw in a manger stand.
Yet in this child all glory dwells
Our hope for all, Emmanuel!

The face of God in human frame
His many gifts for our shame
He stoops to meet our broken hearts
And from this cradle grace imparts.
O holy child, we lift our praise
Your light will shine through all our days!

So as I ponder manger's glow
The wonder deep, the truth we know.
God's love came down, no price too steep
A Gift of life, so pure, so sweet.
Forever blessed on whom we gaze
Emmanuel, we stand amazed!

© Don Stott Eliab.com - Christmas Eve 2024

Some time ago my wife recorded a CD with 12 tracks of improvised piano music  titled "A MOMENT IN TIME". Each track was composed (while she was playing) and all the tracks were recorded in the one session. I think it's an amazingly inspired collection for personal reflection, contemplation, healing or worship. Some people who have been ill in hospital have found this music very soothing. I have recently posted this on YouTube and added some of my photos.