something safe

something solid
something sure
at the beginning of the end
and i am feeling insecure
what will it take
for this heart
to settle down
i think
it’s something solid
something sure

something that lasts
something i can count on
i can’t seem to stop surrendering
to the stories i tell myself
no happy endings
why am i spending time
in all the shadows
won’t you tell me please
what will it take
for my mind to be at ease
i think
something that lasts
something i can count on

something quiet
something safe
when it all unravels
when the puzzle pieces
don’t match the picture
on the box
what will it take
for my soul to rest
for my eyes to see
i think it must be
something quiet
something safe
there is an old story
of the Son of Man
that abides
through the centuries
He walked upon
the same ancient soil
that i stumble upon
His words true and sure
pierce my heart
and a small glowing calm
lifts my head

for He was before
and will always be
His love is for all time
and my mind
can’t understand
but i choose to anchor
my thoughts to the peace
of His everlasting wisdom
His never ending love

and into all my searching
in the midst
of all the bingeing and the scrolling
He shouts stillness
into the noise of my life
calming
restoring
reminding
renewing
resurrecting
and singing over me
the pain remains
but i am unharmed
confusion seems to hold sway
but my fear is consoled
by His presence
beside me
above me
beneath me
all around me
there is a storm
but
He
is

help me to let go

i’m trying
to let go
sometimes surrendering
doesn’t fit
all the shoulds i’m chasing

you see
i have this life equation
that should equal
the sum total
of all my expectations
of how it all should unfold
and then i see it unravel
everywhere and nowhere
i want to be

i’m trying
to let go
after all
we will all one day
let go of everything
so why do i try
to hang on to so much

like my pride
why didn’t you take
my side
i can only see
the me side
of you

like still holding onto
my right
and i’m right
and you’re not
i can’t see
how dark
and confusing
i make it for you

like when i hold onto
my disengaged attitude
pushing you away
silencing your voice
you’re not real
you don’t really know
what you feel
so let me
tell you

like when i hold onto
my fear
i don’t think
you’ll stay here
if you see the real
in me

God
help me
to let go
and to know
that even when i fall
that i am descending
into freedom
decreasing into the fullness
of who you made me to be

God
please help me
to
let
go

the Light

the Light chases us
even through
a dense darkness
a disorienting mist
that surrounds our efforts
to run towards anything
that helps us
to feel
loved
to feel
free

the Light waits for us
as we meander and stumble
through grief and sorrow
like a thick forest of tears
you cut your way through
angry branches
and leaves of sadness
but the forest
closes in
and muffles your weeping

the Light sees us
even when we can’t breath
and anxiety transforms the world
into a tiny box
from which
we cannot escape
and what we want
more than anything
is to be able
to stretch out our hand
so someone
can take hold
and guide us home

above
beneath
behind
in front of every cry
the Light

above
beneath
behind
in front of all your sorrow
the Light

above
beneath
behind
in front of all your fear
the Light

above
beneath
behind
in front of you
the Light
a hand extended
to guide you home
a warm embrace
to welcome you home

if i let go

what will happen
if i let go
stop pretending
i have this
under control
what would happen
if i released
and ceased
from all this
striving
and trying
to make it
all go away
what if
i choose to stay
in the waiting
in the long
and unknown space
called faith
if i fall
will i just
be absorbed
into the fear
and sadness below
or will
He catch me
enfold me
come alongside
and
hold me
still
it feels so safe
right here
i’ve got something
i can do
clinging to
my stubborn pride
not falling
seems
like a good use of time
but He wants
to continue
to write
this story
called
my life

so

i

let

go

and

then………

stop wait listen faith

i don’t think
i would mind
getting lost beneath
a gold and yellow sky
watch the crimson
snow leaves
gently settle
at my feet
smell the pine soaked
breeze
be as still
as the trees
as they surrender
their beauty
and let go of their
color laden leaves
i lift up my eyes
i wonder if my
prayers can soar up high
to reach your ears
oh God
are you near
we’re really lost
have you given
thought
to our broken
hearts
we really
could use
a new start
i surrender
the beauty
i think i possess
let winter
come
and clean my soul
no more pretense
i’ll wait with the trees
in silence
and cold
welcome this season
of dying
less trying
of seeing
and being
i’m lifting my hands
God please
bring us your aid
don’t want to be afraid
as i walk 
this painted path
there is beauty
when we fall
upon your Light
and stop
and wait
and listen
in faith

and stop
and wait
and listen
in faith

a prayer

dear Lord
when i am restless
let the tranquility
of your Spirit
the comfort of your word
the light of your love
be my peace
and still my stirring
when i am anxious
let the power
of your grace
the assurance of your sovereignty
the goodness of your will
warm the frozen fear
i feel inside
release the heart shackles
and settle my thoughts
in the river of your presence
when i am triggered
angry
let your mercy
help me remember
how much is broken in me
let your justice
be the end of my longing
let my heart be open
to you and this world
send me
as your loving healing presence
as i receive your love
and your healing
when i am lost
bring me home
when i am so sad
that light seems a memory
and hope a forgotten song
reorient my mind
reset my spirit
help me see
that the suffering is but a moment
that all i long for
awaits in your house
no more tears
no need of light
or sun
no darkness
thank you
my dear Lord
thank you

Our Father

you sound better today
better than yesterday
i’m your father… i know
you see I never left her side
I was with her when I imagined her
I saw her before there was time
and before the mountains stood
and the oceans sang
before the great forests
were just little children
she was my child
you sound better today
better than yesterday
i’m your father… i know

what you see as trial
I see as triumph
what you see as pain
I see as refining
what you see as darkness
is just light to Me
what you see as defeat
is just another step
upon the light of eternity
a small thread
in the tapestry
an immeasurable stroke of the brush
on this canvas of beauty
for she is a masterpiece
radiant in my love
held in My arms
you sound better today
better than yesterday
i’m your father… i know
I saw her tears
I saw yours too
fear and trust
doubt and peace
such a crazy dance
it is the unseen real
that you must see
it is the end of the rope
that you must release

you sound better today
better than yesterday
i’m your father… i know
I have come
to know your pain
I have suffered
beyond all suffering
give yourself to me
I am acquainted
with your deepest grief
and I know how alone
you feel
how helpless
out of control
alone
just give yourself to me
you sound better today
better than yesterday
i’m your father… i know

that’s what your
earthly papa said
when he called you

you see I gave him to you
he knows

and please hear Me
I’m your Father
I know