Blog, Poetry

Are you currently walking on a shaky path? One that feels like the earth beneath your feet is parting like tectonic plates. As a Southern Californian, the word earthquake comes to mind. If you’ve ever had a time when an unexpected trial jolts your world and shifts all sense of balance in your life, then you know what I’m talking about. 

For some it may be a broken relationship or total family shake-up. Others might have an unexpected job loss or a serious illness. Whatever your trial may be, you’re likely doing all you can to find a solution or at least deal with it in a wise way. Yet the shifting sands of various issues that can continue to pour into the problem can make a resolution seem impossible or hopeless. Before you know it, the aftershocks and obstacles on your path become more problematic than the initial jolt that stopped you in your tracks. 

Where do you go now? What can or should you do? These are all valid questions, but when my husband and I were struck by a seismic size family issue, our first response was to look at who could help. So, prayer came first followed by a wise suggestion from my husband that we seek Christian counseling. 

During the days of waiting for our appointment, sadness, hurt, and despair knocked at my door frequently. Tears gushed with the pain.

“Lord, I need you. I am desperate for your peace and comfort. Why is this happening? Why am I being persecuted?  Even so, I thank you, I praise you in all of this.” I cried through another bucket of tears. His quiet voice reminded me: “Blessed are you when men shall revile and persecute you for my name’s sake.”

Peace came for a brief pause, but quickly fell away. Questions, thoughts, and negative memories about the parties involved in our family rift roamed my mind like a strong, destructive wind blowing through. Stirring up more emotions without settle. Without benefit. I prayed again. Fix your eyes on Jesus. His word whispered back again and continued. Whatever is noble, whatever is true, whatever is lovely…think upon these. “Yes, Lord, that’s what I need to do.”

Rising-up from a long sleepless night, I grabbed my Bible and read. Swoosh! The wind blew in again, but this time it came as a refreshing breeze blowing away the negative and bringing in constructive direction, encouragement, and hope. God spoke into my spirit and gave light to a path of reconciliation for each and every person involved in the troubling crevice that had formed, including myself. 

One more inspiration came to me in those moments of enlightenment. This time it was a poem that I’d written several years ago. The only one I’ve ever framed, it seemed to call to me from the wall where it hung. Refreshing my memory as I read its’ God inspired words, I was amazed at how well my own words spoke into my current heart’s need. How it also shed light on my path and gave me encouragement.

As we all step into this new year, It’s my prayer that God will shine His light on our paths so that no matter what rocky obstacles lie ahead, and no matter how much the ground beneath our feet might shake, we will be more sure footed in our walk.

My Poem: 

FOOTSTEPS OF MY LORD

I heard you in the morning, Lord,

Stepping softly on the leaves

Nudging dew drops from the roses

With winter’s morning breeze.

And then you stepped so lightly

Into the morning light

Your warbler singing brightly

With sweet good-byes to the night

Your steps grew steady in the day

Their pace so strong and sure

And straight up as the noonday sun

Their path seemed so secure.

But as the night drew close

And rain began to fall,

You tap danced on my porch

For evening’s curtain call.

Sometimes I hear you stepping

On the path ahead

Your footsteps leading upward bound

Saying follow where I’ve led.

Your footprints laid out before me

Are written with your hand

Your scriptures impressed upon my heart

Like feet upon wet sand

Are clear and true and

Lead me to

Eternal solid ground

Where beauty grows and

True love shows

Life’s meaning can be found.

And though I stumble on way

My feet do falter and fall,

Because you walked down Calvary’s road,

I’ll step along eternal paths

When I hear your call