My Polite Journal

This morning I took some time to pour my heart out in my journal. My heart has been heavy for some time now. There are many things going on - but I'll spare you the details. (You're welcome!) If you haven't tried journaling, it can be a good strategy for stress relief. It's a safe place to let it all hang out! I had stopped for a while but this year I have picked it back up. Let me just say that I put more than my woes in my journal. I usually end with a prayer - or I write what God is showing me, what I am learning - and all those deep philosophical questions that rarely have answers. It's a polite catch-all for my sundry, sometimes crazy thoughts.

As I finished up the entry this morning, I ended with a couple of statements which became the first two lines of this poem:

Lord, hold me and hide me

Let me know You are beside me

As life's turbulent tides

Roll over and over me - 

Comfort me - pull me close

and help me see

There's more to life than the pain I feel

There's more to life than what

seems so real

Whisper to my soul that You won't abandon

But that You'll swoop me up

Out of the depths of this emotional canyon 

Remind me  can trust You even though

I am battle-worn

Let me know You've still got me

even though I'm bloody and torn

For in You I find my soul's true healing balm

Remind me I am not alone even though 

I look up and everyone's gone

You are there to speak and bring calm

Restore my joy, Restore my peace,

Restore my song

Help me remember You are with me and

You are for me all along

After I finished writing that I glanced at my open Bible and read from Psalm 119. Verse 132 says, Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name. He is always merciful, always faithful, always graceful toward us who continue to come back to Him because we love His name. 

Today, I will remember He alone has the healing balm for life. I'll meditate on His mercy that is new every morning and is rich toward us who love His name. I'll tie my heart to His - and listen to His beat over mine.. as I trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?