The poet asks:  Am I worthy to sit at God’s banquet?

Love (III)
BY GEORGE HERBERT1593–1633
Love bade me welcome. Yet my soul drew back
                              Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
                             From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
                             If I lacked any thing.
A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:
                             Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,
                             I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
                             Who made the eyes but I?
Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame
                             Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
                             My dear, then I will serve.


[COMMENT:  George Herbert “struggles with God”  — a common theme in the Bible.  Before you conclude you’re “bad” to argue or debate with God, literally to “wrestle” with Him when His ways seem irrational, unjust or cruel,  think of the prophets who argued with him:  Job, Moses, Jacob, Abraham, Jonah, David, Gideon — nearly every major character in Scripture.  If you are a really good little boy or girl, and wouldn’t dare question God, maybe God is inviting you to a dinner party for adults, one involving free and open conversation.]