And now these three remain… 1 Corinthians 13:13
You painted Your canvas under one sky
You set it to revolve between darkness and light
And created juxtaposition within each extreme
Your light, a harsh yet gratifying warmth
Your dark, a bullet-hole-lighted path
Then created us to be the victor in this confliction
The big round eyes of a baby looking back at you
The way a stranger hugs you for the first time
The smile of the woman who doesn’t understand a word you speak
The circle of support around you that have heard your darkest and bear it with you
The reuniting of friendships between peers and mentors
The twinkling stars in the sky that help light the darkness
The gentle breeze on warm days that provides relief
The outreach of one dry, rough hand to another
The wisdom that is spoken to your particular predicament
The shared moments of silence where words are no longer needed
The time in His presence where calm fills the atmosphere
The unexpected, instantaneous answers to prayers
The discovery of rest after an uneasy test of faith
The hope that a single sunrise conveys
The sigh of relief and sense of peace that comes with each sunset
The love of our Father day after day, disguised in pieces on our daily retreat
What can be written that has yet to be written?
What can be said that has been left unsaid?
If eyes cannot see and ears cannot hear, what can make the heart feel?
How do I make another’s heartbeat increase?
Which words will fit together to create emotions as songs do?
Will they sing along?
Will they dance to the rhythms of truth?
Will they delight in the freedom of inhibitions?
But when the music stops, will they continue to believe?
What if they cannot dance without having tangible evidence?
Where do we stand when this true trial begins?
How do we keep each other dancing in the quietness?
When there is no beat, no melody, no lyrics, do we attempt to sing acapella?
Do we shout to hit decibels that only amplifiers can reach?
Can just our syllables create unconscious reactions the way a driving bass drum can?
Or will our inflections evoke emotions the way a simple chord progression does?
What if this does work, is the impact just as grand?
If we attempt acoustic encouragement, can we still expect an electric response?
Why must it be so loud to stir our insides?
Why must it blind us before we attempt to see?
Can they not just imagine how great?
If it takes extremities, how strong is our faith anyway?
Is this why we write even if it has been written or reiterate inspired words and phrases?
So in hopes that the lyrics and rhythms are contagious enough for a change to spark?
Gone is the comfort of yesterday
Our wings took flight to soar heights unreached
No longer confined to borders
Each changeling’s journey predestined for each to seek
We no longer can guess the path but are to trust the footprints set before us
He sets lamps at our feet as we take to the soil
Our hope is in Him who is our shepherd
He will guide us through pastures which will lead to questions
But He will also take us to the water to drink and become drunk with answers
As we hydrate with His love and gargle His goodness
We are reminded of our purpose
The changelings have been obedient to His calling
And will swallow and regurgitate each word He gives us
Let me be a beacon of hope for the travelers of the darkness
Let me light the path to harbors of rest
Where guidance along the rocky shore provides a kinship to its maker
Let its favor also provide relief from treacherous waters
For the mirroring coast is a vivid pretense of what life could be
And when my glow starts to dim, let my strength feed from natural light
So that my warmth may continue to be a safe haven for the lost
My Faith, My Hope, My Love 