Gentle Reader,
You would not know it upon a glance
But there’s buzzing in my head
A tingle, shiver, crawls up my spine
And I’m filled with darkest dread
Strive to keep my face serene
Arranged along calmest lines
But know when I respond to you
That I’m really not always “fine”
There’s walking wounded all around
And me, I know that crowd
Not too proud to tell you this
Tho ’tis done with head that’s bowed
Yes, I believe in the healing touch
Of God who reigns on high
But His work in us, it is not done,
Without a struggle or a sigh
Groping about on this earth,
Half-blinded, struggling to see
What to do in the midst of fear
That’s wailing like a banshee
His voice is quiet, speaking peace
I must lean close and listen
That I might choose the better path
And in holiness be christen
There are many other roads
To the right and to the left
Roads I’d frankly rather walk
Than this, with all its theft
But they lead not to God above
As Christian learned in olden tale
And so step on, is what I must
Tho the Devil does assail
Do it afraid, that is my choice
None other can I make
Do it despite, that is the call
Even when my heart does ache
Christ promised trouble in this world
And He spoke not single lie
But He also promised, sure and true
To be near when all does go awry
And so tho I may not be fine
Engaged in unseen war each day
From my God I will not turn
From my Savior ne’er will stray
Thus all that I ask of you
Who read these simple lines
Is that you might come to notice
The strain and struggle’s signs
For I need you, as you need me
We journey through together
Not just on sunny mountaintops
But in the stormy weather
So take my hand, and I’ll take yours
We’ll press along, holding fast
I’ll see you, and you’ll see me
The masks we wear, off cast
Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters.
– Romans 12:10a (CSB)
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