The Long Road Home

9/2/23

Aloha, Good Person!

Have you ever struggled with getting something done on time?

Yeah, me neither. (Choke, gasp, hysterical laughter . . . )

Since I’m still struggling with the post that was originally intended for this week (it’s now over 3000 words long!) I’m rerunning a poem that should’ve been put up on 7/21/23, apparently.  

I love this – I can still remember the awe and appreciation from when it was first written. 

Wish I could tell you those positive feelings have been persistent all these years! But they do return, and it happens increasingly frequently. I’m learning to claim them when not feeling blessed. That can make a difference in the ‘tude!

I hope it reminds you, too, of a time when the wonder of what God has done for you, specifically, touched you so deeply. 

It will happen (again), BTW.  Quite frequently actually, if we let ourselves notice and receive it more often.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Good Person! 🙂

(Original post ~ )

This was written a quite a few years ago, after my divorce was finalized.  (More on the marriage in a later {update: early} posts.)

This expresses deep gratitude for God’s love, which never left me like I thought it had.  He’d been waiting for me to notice, receive His love, listen to and heed Him all along. 

It occurred to me when reading this poem a couple of days ago that with a little tweaking it could also be about with the way I’m now able to trust myself enough to feel vulnerable.  About  how the splintered, wounded parts of the self that has been rejected for so long are FINALLY feel safe enough to come back home, piece by piece, to my heart.

Even though this was written before “Void”, the poem I shared {7/21/23}, “The Long Road Home” could be the healing counterpart to it.  

The Long Road Home

I see You, 
     after so long without You.
I see You, in the distance, on my path, on the other side of a wide chasm,
     Your arms are open,
     patiently awaiting
     my return.
Hesitantly at first with my arms outstretched, I reach out to You,
     but now I’m running fast, faster, towards You,
     my heart filling with undying love and appreciation for You,
     for all You’ve done for me, for us, for ALL.
My mind sings joyfully, knowing I’m finally, finally returning home to You.
My voice lifting up to you, laughing, elated, telling You all,
     but knowing You always knew, heard, and understood
     - You see into my heart.
Now I can see the love, compassion and forgiveness in Your eyes,
     telling me it’s all right, safe, to love, trust and believe You completely,
     there is nothing to fear here.
The chasm between You and I just doesn’t seem so insurmountable now.
So I leap over the abyss, into Your arms which hold me up,
     like I knew they would.
     Like You always have, whether I acknowledged it or not.
My Savior, My Lord, now I am finally home in You, Jesus.
(Please hold me close, Christ, it’s been a long, long road home,
     and worth every step.)
THANK YOU!  AMEN!