That Merciful Would Be Your Name

This is based upon reflection of both myself and how I have been living lately and reflections upon the Haitian earthquake tragedy.

I see it through the hands
building a sandcastle
with the grains of sand
Hours upon hours spent
constructing on sturdy land
The sun slides down into bed
with it brings the high tide
in just a moment
a day’s work has washed by

We cry for mercy
left in the rubble’s wake
of what we build and trust to stand
comes down with a wave’s face
And we cry for mercy
seeing now what we pursue
empty and unfulfilled, barren
turning to face our need for You
And we cry for mercy
for Your hands to come and fill
Pure, steady, and able to sustain
In the midst of our pursuit of vain
And we cry to You
that Merciful would be Your name

I see it through the pictures
the clips on a film reel
Once was built of man
deemed strong and sturdy
now has come to fail
The whole broken to pieces
people left in the rubble’s wake
crying out for mercy
and wondering why You chose to shake

And we cry for mercy
left in the rubble’s wake
of what we build and trust to stand
comes down with a minute’s shake
And we cry for mercy
seeing now what we are without
broken and battered, hurting
turning to face our deepest doubts
And we cry for mercy
only to You, all who remains
Strong, steady, and without change
In the midst of our deepest pain
And we cry to You
that Merciful would be Your name.

Lost and Found

There’s a grief in the change
in the loss of the familiar
the steadiness and sureness of circumstance
in which I could comfortably reside.
The words that have been said
these last few years-prophecy true now.
Apparently I stand a woman, supposedly
strong and steady, ready
to face the world and all it brings.
It’s all changing. Reality shifting…
so much remaining unknown.
I’m no longer just myself—no,
for now I am fusing to another
within whom so much is found.
Yes. This is good. This is how
things ought to be—stretching,
challenging
yet full of blessing. There is
excitement in the prospect
or rather, the promise, of adventure
in seeking, following hard after
the Lord and His beauty.

Love, I look into your eyes
what I find reflects all.
There is comfort, security
hope and promise, uncertainty
for what I do not yet know.
There ultimately is the look of
unconditional love--
the presence of the Lord himself.

And now I walk into much unknown, held
by promises I know to be true.
Each day, dying a bit more, losing
more of myself…only to be found
within you and You...instead of one,
now I find myself within two. Smile, yes,
and I rejoice at what is to come. The Lord
is good and His love endures, certainly
with you this truth resounds. Yet,
in this moment, I grieve a little for what has been

lost

awaiting the promise for all that is to be found.