This is going to be frustrating
but I share this to help you cope.
Throughout life, it may need restating,
but I don’t want you to lose your hope.
People are going to misunderstand you,
And no matter how hard you try to explain,
With some, you won’t get through.
You’ll leave dejected at the end of the day,
But don’t let this fact defeat you.
Don’t let it keep you from trying again.
You can cry to a friend,
but don’t quit when you don’t win
the affections of
the approval of…
Don’t let the argument become
that restless downward spin.
Remember why you took that job,
Why you love your mom,
That one friend you almost gave up on.
People will surprise you
And sometimes it will be pleasant.
The darkness will subside
And all be luminescent.
In the meantime, rewind
And don’t hit replay in your mind
Forgive yourself, forgive the crimes,
The slights and words unkind.
Let them wash in the flood
The flowing crimson love
Of One who alone did everything right
And lay your disappointments to rest at night.
Good Enough
Maybe it’s good enough
that God is good enough,
and I am not.
Maybe it’s enough
that He loved me enough
to show me tough love
when I fought.
Maybe my pride can find a hole and die
And my soul can accept a love
that’s not about how hard I try.
*It is. He is.
Violence
You can handle
the violence in my spirit,
the quiet screams that sear it.
They burn fears and clear pith.
Draw me near with
arms that destroy interference.
You fight for my deliverance.
I hide in the strength
that fights my assailants,
the purity that hates
all that hates me
and kills with fire
the dross, selfish desire.
Your counter-attack
will never lack
the efficacy
to take me back.
Spring
Snow fell here yesterday
And today I lay in the green
On the grass in the breeze
Sweet stringed melodies
The light about you
And beyond, the trees.
This moment, freeze,
Forever in my memories.
Forgive this silly grin.
I’m just taking it all in.
The thawing of my heart
Overwhelms me
And though I saw it coming
It doesn’t cease to be
Amazing.
Indelible Security
With glorious light in my face
I look over to
Love that delights in
All that I am without hiding.
He walks with me in plain sight,
Illuminating my frame.
This joy. It’s so much a part of my soul.
My body, spirit and soul.
Valuable beyond my control.
Worth set in stone.
Loved before I was known.
Joy is my story.
The certainty
of indelible security.
Unforgettable
Irremovable
True.
My Savior’s love defines me.
His righteousness assigned to me.
Now there is freedom to rest and do
With nothing left to prove
Or earn,
Only His love to return.
Fear
*Another old poem, previously unpublished.
Fear.
At the depths of me,
That’s what kept me
Immobilized
Terrorized
Fear of losing.
Fear of loosing
the floods of your
disapproval.
Because maybe you’re right
And I am wrong.
So I stayed quiet for too long.
And boiled deep inside
pains I tried to hide.
And erupted unfairly
Unexpected and unkindly.
I’m sorry.
What’s wrong with me?
I’m sorry.
Understood
Good morning, sunshine.
I missed your smile in the night time.
The shadows over your troubled mind,
covered your hope and made you blind.
But good morning, my love!
You are awake in the light of day.
You are not defined by the dumb things you say.
You are loved beyond every little mistake.
The One who loves you is good,
By Him, you’ll always be understood.
In the Desert
I am your bride in the wilderness.
I’ll follow you
In the desert, I’ll follow you.
In the desert, I’ll drink of you
The heat and sand won’t keep me from believing that you are making an oasis in this place.
How I Look At You
You love when I’m hurting
How I look at You
When my soul is yearning
How I look at You
And I am delighted by Your Presence
Fulfilled in Your Presence
Even when the pain is still present
I will look at You
And when I do
Your smile down on me
Your heart bursts to hear me sing
The fullness of my every feeling
And You delight in and You love me
And I delight in and I love You
My King
I am amazed by You
My gaze is for You
And You dance around me
A whirlwind around me
Together in the Throne Room
My Bride Groom, My King
Hope
Sure of what you hope for
Certain of what you do not see.
I’ve tried to muster up faith for
years without hoping.
Without risking
disappointment.
Reaching, whisp’ring
Healing ointment.
And hope for what?
What could hold the weight?
Longings glut
and eternally satiate?
In Christ alone
my pain abates.
My desire, my shalom,
Joy anticipates.
Hold Up My Hands 