About three weeks ago, I did an attempt to write a serious poem. It was the first time in my life (okay, since adolescence…). After I submitted it to the FaithWriters Weekly Writing Challenge, I discovered that God used it to speak into my own life. I had indeed built some walls that had dark corners with ugly growths. Covered by God’s grace, I put everything in the light. Restoration is in process. God is so good.
Here’s the poem, and I pray it will bless you.
The Broken Vase
A heavy weight has crushed my brittle heart—
A vase that broke into a million pieces,
Its purpose lost. My emptiness increases.
I’m floored, oh God, all hope from me departs.
Betrayal, loss, affliction, and despair
Piled up until too bulky to be carried.
Under the crashed-down rubble now lies buried
My soul. Into the face of death I stare.
You say you’re near and you’ll revive my spirit.
So God, pick up this shattered heart of mine—
My fallen, fractured self—and please align
Reality with what’s my rightful merit.
Your quiet’s hard to stand; my strength is streaming
Into the soil beneath my suff’ring soul.
A vortex drags me down, out of control.
Anxiety attacks, depression’s scheming.
Still waiting here for You, my God. Restore me.
Accomplish what you promised. I believe
That you exist, so why don’t You relieve
My anguish? Why not chase the gloom that’s o’er me?
Dear child of Mine, I’ve heard your ev’ry prayer,
Your cries and wails resounding in My heart.
I know the pain that’s tearing you apart.
You yearn, yet you don’t yield all to My care.
When you hold back, I cannot make you whole.
If you build walls, defensive with dead angles
Where anger broods and bitter roots entangle,
To shield your sin, I cannot mend your soul.
You do believe, but why don’t you surrender?
Why don’t you trust My mercy, love and grace?
Hand over all the fragments of your vase;
I’ll glue—renew—and pour it full of splendor.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
photo credit: Day 207: Shattered Chivas via photopin (license)
Destination Italy 