Winning

My time on this earth, short as it may be,
When done will hold unimaginable wonders for me.
For here, where I toil in darkness and pain,
When free my soul will soar to the heights where you reign.
A place where there is no time and far beyond space,
A land where your beauty shines on each face.
Every minute a choir sings from above,
A melody about grace, mercy, and love.

Now, as I stand at your throne, I'm glad I made the right choice,
Throughout this darkness I never strayed from your voice.
I stand smaller than a grain of sand in the presence of your glory,
Yet you help with my problems, forgive my mistakes, and listen to my story.
When I was scared, hurt, or simply asking why,
You never left me, you heard my every cry.

Though in your hands you hold the stars,
What you seek above all is a place in our hearts.
And even though I am small and weak,
To please you is the only thing in this world that I seek.

When I stand before you in a few short years,
Oblivious to my loved ones pain and tears.
I will ask "How have I done?"
And I want you to be able to say, "You fought the good fight, and you won."

Freedom

Into this world of darkness I go,
Trying not to allow my fear to show;
Finally I let go of the warmth from my mother’s hand,
Now is the time to make my own stand;
I fear the darkness that lay ahead,
Yet I have something to abate my fear, my dread;

The One who redeemed me by his death,
Who saved me from the devil’s fiery breath;
He pulled me from the muck and mire,
No longer should I fear the funeral pyre;
For in the darkness lies pain and strife,
The only thing it can rob me of is life;

And if it does, and one day it will,
My soul will be free, no longer still;
For though this darkness may think it has won,
My struggle with it is over and done;
For my soul is protected by arms from above,
My heart so full and bursting with love;

So I tell you, dear friends, when troubles you meet,
Trust in the Lord and he will keep you on your feet;
He fashioned you into the wonderful creature you are,
So when you walk in the darkness you will shine like a heavenly star;
And when the darkness causes you a life full of pain,
Remember what riches abound when you call on His name.