Someone dear to me posts poetry that speaks to me on her social media account. I received permission to share them with my Mountain Movers audience, so I invite you to read this slowly, and listen for what the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord might say to you through it.
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But now, O [Child], listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3 NLT)
I started on the shore.
Life was warm,
sunny,
and sweet.
Before I knew
what the water could do.
I was too young
to know the difference
between the shore
and the sea.
Little by little,
I found myself
farther from the shore.
Deeper
and deeper
I drifted.
My pain whispered,
calling me farther in,
promising the water
would wash away the memories.
Before I knew it,
I was completely submerged.
A storm rose around me.
The waves stole my footing,
the sky disappeared,
and I was lost at sea.
Trapped inside memories
my own body feared.
Every inch of me ached
with a pain I couldn’t explain.
Pins and needles up my spine.
A ringing in my ears.
Like a chronic condition
no one else could see.
I was lost,
reaching for anything
that might save me
from the depths I was drowning in.
Then Jesus grabbed my hand
just as I thought I’d taken my last breath,
just as I was ready to let go.
As He pulled me from the water,
I didn’t come up dry.
I still felt everything.
I was still soaked
from the waters
that had nearly swallowed me.
But slowly,
I began to dry.
I began to heal.
And through every moment,
He held me close.
Little by little,
the pain loosened its grip.
My heart became less broken.
The nightmares came to an end.
Even now,
though I’ve escaped the storm
and I’m no longer sinking,
sometimes I wander
too close to the water.
The memories rush back.
I look up to see a tidal wave
ready to crash over me,
to drown me
in yesterday’s pain.
But standing between me and the sea
is my Savior.
The One who commands the waters.
With a single word,
He parts the wave before it reaches me.
And once again,
He saves me from the deep
and carries me back to the shore.
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Jesus,
Thank you for rescuing each of us from the waters of life, for holding us up, and for healing our traumas. Be near us, Lord Jesus, we ask you to stay, close by us forever, and love us, we pray in your name, AMEN.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there. (attributed to John T. McFarland)
h/t KV