The Opening

Writing has always held great significance for me. I found in it an expression of my true self, even when I had no other expression. I struggled to speak of deep thoughts and emotions. Often, I had no awareness of them locked away deep inside, far from the eyes and ears of the world. Instead, I made myself a chameleon, one who could become whatever I though others wanted me to be. I gave up myself and took the nature of a rock refusing to feel and unable to connect.

It does not surprise me then, that God has made writing an instrument of my healing and transformation. At university, when I was brand new in my faith, an English professor introduced our class to journaling. Instantly, it became the space where I met with God. All of my entries were prayers, conversations with the Father. There, I learned to be real with Him in a way that no other person had ever experienced with me. In that space, I also began, on occasion, to write poetry. Like a key in a lock, my poems unbolted a door leading to places I never knew, places much in need of God’s healing touch.

This past weekend, I wrote a poem, after quite a period of poetical silence. I found it refreshing and life giving, a much needed breath of air. I share it with you now, if for no other reason, to give courage to others in need of the the grace and the freedom to write and express themselves. For many years (And, even sometimes now) I lived with the lie that my writing had no value and must be sacrificed to “more important endeavors.” Don’t believe the lie. God values the gifts He has given and delights when ever we use them.

 Open closed eyes and see
 Images penned by Spirit  
 Unbar doors long guarded
 Set innocent prisoners free  
 
 There in the distance, look! Behold!  
 Long awaited tones give rise
 Colors bright, shining brilliance  
 Remembrance of old stories told.   
 
 Awaken heart, my soul arise  
 Long anticipated day  
 Let drum beat, let trumpet sound  
 Enter with grace, God's promised prize
 
 Here I sit, alive, awake  
 Let thoughts run hot the trails  
 Unbridled, run, let come what may
 Give birth to joy.  Let stillness break  
 
 There is a path, a trodden way
 With stones beset in line  
 Pass tree, pass fount, pass tangled vine  
 Where sun casts down lights brilliant ray  
 
 And far beyond the branches twined  
 Past hanging shades of green
 Ripples cross 'bove depths unseen
 Flow waters deep, waves unrefined  
   
 But, One who sees and knows all things  
 Of me, this still be true  
 Though waves run deep and dark and blue  
 Even frees my heart, my soul to sing.