My Rescue

I still remember the day you saved my life. It was not an unusual day, people on the outside probably didn't even notice anything at all about it. To me, however, this was the day everything changed. At this time I was forced to see a side of life that should never be looked on. My heart was nearly crushed under the weight of pain that it was too young to bear. My brain tried in vain to absorb meaning from the things I was being told, but at the same time I understood perfectly. Somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind everything was deciphered, but the other half of me refused to accept it and desperately fumbled for another explanation. I was seven going on a hundred, in one year maturing well beyond my years. I learned new concepts, one that in my innocence I never paused to consider: death, hate, divorce. I was confronted with pain beyond any measure, both physically and emotionally, with precious little time to figure out how to fight against it. An anchor had been strapped on my back and I was sinking closer and closer to the bottom, the weight of a thousand leagues crushing me, yet I could not drown. There was no release, no escape in sight from this torture, only more pressure with every league I sank.

The day my life changed all these feelings were swimming through my head. As I laid there in the soft grass, warm sunlight covering me like a blanket, you spoke to me. It was in such a soft tone I almost didn't hear, but my heart and soul leaped at the words. Simple words, not elegant and without prose, but the most powerful ones that I have ever heard uttered: I am here, do not be afraid. That day, with those words, you held out your hand to me. To accept you was like taking a huge gulp of air after holding your breath for too long underwater. There was no longer any burden on my shoulders, no more darkness clouding my vision. Yes, a long road was still ahead, and the journey would be a rough one, but with you guiding my way, holding me up with every step, what was there to fear? At seven years old you saved my life. You walked me through the shadows of death when they threatened to engulf me, infused me with such love and strength that no mortal can give- not even a mother to her child. No evil can defeat me, not even death can wrench me out of your grip. The day you gave me life and everything changed was a day like any other. No one else even considered that something earth shattering had happened. Yet this day- this perfectly ordinary day- will always be the best day of my existence.

Come to Me

Why do you oppose me?

Have I not done enough to warrant your love?

For you I hung on a crossed tree,

With nails drilled into my hands and feet.

Because my heart stopped beating you now may live,

Yet you demand more than that, what else can I give?

Riches on earth will fade and expensive garments will rip,

No matter what you do your hold on these will slip.

While what I offer may not be coated in gold,

You will find a wealth of love and joy untold.

Why then do you still back away from my touch?

Don't you want to know my peace when life gets to be too much?

For that's what I want, my love, to make your heavy heart light.

I offer you never ending love,

An eternal home with me in the heavens above.

Though you hold to your heart and give no one the key,

I will not stop my pursuit until you're safe here with me.

I love you, my child, more than words can tell.

Yes, even now, when you are taken by the world's evil spell.

For one day you won't ignore the cry of your soul,

And I will be waiting then to lead you into treasures untold.

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.