(A Poem For Finding the Hope in Hard Times)

I just want to be green:
A single blade that rises tall-
A sprout that's birthed from dust,
To make a difference, all in all.

The land was dry and barren
But God knew it needed time.
He knew the seeds were planted
And when He would let them rise.

He knew they needed water.
He gave them plenty sun.
But the trick that really did it 
Was the patch of shade that'd come.

I find that awfully funny...
The moment that grass grew,
It had probably felt discouraged
Thinking sun was the best route.

It's as if the darkness coming
Was a catalyst for light.
But often in the moment
We give way to fright or flight.

I never learned patience
By getting what I want.
I never learned to share
By withholding my own cup.

And when I learned to bike
You can bet that I did fall.
And when I learned to love
You can bet I learned my faults.

How can it be possible 
To grow while suffering?
We know it's how God teaches
As it's how He taught our King.

Although He was a son,
He learned obedience.
Thus through what He suffered
We've been saved from our sins.

If it's in God's will
It will surely come to pass.
Which is why I fear the Lord-
To gain wisdom where I lack.

Wisdom for the road ahead.
I'm told there's plenty shade.
This will not evoke my fear.
This is cause to praise.

I praise the Lord for my plans
That I thought were good.
I praise Him that He's in control
Though I misunderstood.

I may be tired and weary
As the days come and go.
But I remember that barren land
And now I see that grass has grown.

So too am I
A seed planted in a space.
The question is not "Will I grow?"
Rather "When's the time and place?"

Where do I look for water?
Where do I look for sun?
Well they're in the body of Christ
To support me when shade will come.

That's the beauty of the process:
With time we are refined. 
We're not forsaken, we are bathed in
Our love and faith in Christ.

Suddenly I feel quite green...
There's a happening at my roots.
I feel I have been planted
And I will be sprouting soon.

August 2, 2024

References:
Hebrews 5:8--> "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered."
Proverbs 1:7--> "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."