February 18th 2016
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” – Psalm 51:17 (KJV)
Death did not beckon, I did not wish to leave.
But the evil one had wrought destruction From the day I was conceived:
Lies worn as a mask, Guilt crushing as a boulder;
Self-loathing wrapped about me As a cloak upon my shoulders;
Sins piled higher than ever I could reach;
The deluge of a lifetime Thundered through the breach.
I thought ’twas no way forward, No hope to bear the shame.
A chasm of cold and darkness Would bear away my pain.
The liar gnashed his vile teeth, His gnarled fingers grasped.
His thorny voice dripped poison As he crooned about my past.
My eyes closed in resignation, I fell upon my knees;
My wail of desperation Echoed off the trees.
All was lost, only death Would welcome me below.
So I tumbled, and HE swept me Into the Blessed Flow.
He gathered me in arms of grace, My ear cradled to His chest.
The endless rhythm of His heart Beat a lullaby within His breast.
Up we rose above the tumult, On eagle’s wings we soared.
Beyond the reach of evil claws I was hidden by my Lord.
The way was fraught with angry clouds, Searing flashes of fear and doubt.
But He clenched me close, His dearest one, Until the sun shone out.
My strength was gone, disappeared, And never to return.
Still He carries me through each day And never for aught I yearn.
The tempests rage on, Yet aching for my spirit;
The deceiver clamors for a grip On flesh and soul to tear it.
But the father of this present age Finds no quarter in my heart,
For it is sealed, with the blood of the Lamb,
Awaiting the triumphal start!
– Alice Ringer