The Arab’s Cry

We had the opportunity several years ago to watch a video by Arab believers. In sharing their heart for their people, they emphasized that Abraham rejected their father, Ishmael, but that Jesus died for them, too, and longs to bring them into a relationship with the Heavenly Father. They pointed out that the image of a loving father is sorely lacking in Arabic culture. 
I pictured Ishmael, dehydrated and frightened, crying in the desert. Hagar looks up to heaven in the vanishing hope of finding a God there who would look on her plight with compassion and love. He did. 
The cry of that child seems to be echoing through the centuries. How can any of us not respond with the grace that our Father has for that child in the desert and his descendants? This poem was my response at the time. 

Love me too, love me too!
Conceived in sin, I come to You.
Rejected, hated, scorned was I
Be my Abba or I die.
Draw me in to be Your son.
By the blood of Christ made one
Adopted, freed, alone no more
Welcome me to *Jordan’s shore
The Jew, the Gentile, slave or free
The soul sincere Your eyes will see.
I, unworthy, thirsty, poor
Through the precious cross, restore
The desert tenderness I knew
I beg You, God, teach me love, too.
Show me what a son would be
Into Your kin now welcome me
I am crying, do You hear?
Be my Father, oh, draw near!
Do not turn away from me
My wailing heart, in mercy see.
From Your throne, come and hear
I cry out, although I fear
I am come to beg of you
Abba, Abba, love me, too!