My Grandmother's Poem

Yesterday was a rough day, rougher than usual. As caregivers, our emotions often stay on the edge and it doesn't take much to tip us off. Well, yesterday was my tipping off point. The everyday stuff for us is enough, isn't it? I mean, come on life - my mom has dementia, I am an LD caregiver for my aunt (I went to see yesterday), and I am a full-time caregiver for my adult son who is total care due to a brain injury. Too many things have happened in the last couple of days and my emotions, nerves, mind, etc. are all on edge. Why can't life just let up a little now and then?

I came home from seeing my aunt in the nursing home and was a bit frazzled. My heart and mind were racing. For me, one strategy for not getting taken down in life's swifter currents is to do something different. Not work. Not my norm. I spied a briefcase I'd brought in from the garage as I've been going through my aunt's things. As I unlatched it and opened up the top to see a poem in my grandmother's own handwriting was laying on top. The title is My God Can Handle This. 

I'd be lying if I told you my eyes didn't sweat a little bit. I turned the old papers over and found the date on the back. She had written it in 1959 one year before I was born.  Here I sat looking at her words 60 years later as they ministered to my heart in my present situation. There is no telling how long it's been tucked away in this briefcase, but it was right where I needed it yesterday. I'll take it as an indirect encouragement to continue to write an publish my own writings and poetry. (Check out my first digital poetry book!) Here is my grandmother's poem - still ringing true - I hope it ministers to your heart too - God really can handle this!

My God Can Handle This

Stuck with a problem you've not had before?

Feel that you're wounded, forsaken and sore?

Sorrow and trouble both beat on the door?

      My God can handle this!

Can't see a glimmer of light out ahead?

Darkness and terror and mountains of dread?

Stick out your chin, brother, God isn't dead!

     My God can handle this!

Feel all you've made of your life is a mess?

No one to help you, and no one to bless?

Say, listen. Brother, you don't have to guess!

     My God can handle this!

Down on your knees, with your bundle of woe!

He's there to give you a hearing, and so - 

Try it and see, brother, then you will know - 

     My God can handle this!

Looks like the world's in a terrible scape-

Nothing but suff'ring and warfare and rape-

Now, listen, brother don't hang out in the crepe - 

     My God can handle this!

Now is the time, brother, lift up your head,

Take down that Bible that you haven't read-

Dust off its cover and see what is said-

     My God can handle this!

Find there each promise to you certified -

Signed in the Life Blood of One crucified -

all hell defeated, the day Jesus died!

     My God could handle this!

Up from the grave! Brother listen to me!

Christ is the answer for you, can't you see?

all pow'r is His: you can have it for  free!

     My God will handle this!

(C) Maxine Emerson September 11, 1959