Listen, please listen

a broken heart,

shattered,

scattered,

misunderstood

judged.

a grieving heart,

rejected,

disrespected,

ignored,

alone.

hands,

so strong

that creation

would rest in it's palms,

comes,

to cradle,

to hold

and to heal.

a voice

softly speaking,

beseeching,

pleading.

please listen

for your brother,

your sister

are called.

see,

can you see,

hear,

can you hear,

your name

he is calling,

your heart

to be healed.

will you join

with your brothers,

and embracing

your sisters.

we are one

in his cry,

we are one

in his hand,

this dying cry

and a wounded hand.

Love so cruelly maimed

did the angels understand

when they saw the cross?

what did the heavens say

when love paid it's cruel cost?

did the moon and stars

cease to burn so bright?

did the universe

recoil from such a sight?

how could this Prince of peace

of whom the ages sing

suffer mankind's rage

as love so cruelly maimed.

how could this be,

the plan of the ages?

how could this be

such perfect love?

how could this be

the power and the glory

love so cruelly maimed.

how could this be

love surrendered?

how could this be

love's finest hour?

how could this be

an eternal salvation,

love so cruelly maimed?

how could this be

Him so cruelly maimed?

the angels folded their wings,

their face bowed with tears,

when all the might

of heaven's awe,

surrendered life to death.

as man took up the nails,

with insults and arrogance,

and waged a war

in religious pride

eyes wide shut,

hearts stone cold,

never questioning,

never changing

from age to age

this eternal story

remains the same

our hands they drip with a dying man's blood

we pass judgement on our neighbour

whilst singing songs of love,

love so cruelly maimed.

Love

Show me how to love

for I'm lost on the way.

tell me again,

that glorious word,

paint me a picture,

to take my breath away,

my heart in my mouth,

my soul so inspired.

please,

show me again,

for I think I forgot

in all that is flawed,

all that is failed,

in my disappointments,

and sadness

I've departed from the essence,

the transcendence,

the simplicity,

of learning to love.

For all I have,

all that is before,

all that is to come,

can only be anchored

by love.

Please show me how,

lest I forget it's glory and grace.

So flawed, so loved.

It is our right

that wrongs so many,

it is the wrongs

that lead us to the light

it is our poverty

that show us truth

our flaws

a kingdom comes.

our griefs

lead us to burdens

we carry

as comforted and healed.

and in humility

and meekness,

whilst struggling

in vain,

the earth

shall welcome

the weary pilgrims home.

a kingdom is offered,

to our heavy laden hearts,

as with all we join,

knit together as one,

we have this cry,

this petition for grace,

our guilty heads

are crowned with love.

Thank you.

thank you

for the gift of life

for breath

and the beating of our hearts.

thank you

for the highs and lows,

the joys and the sadnesses.

thank you

for the beauty that surrounds us,

and our ability to appreciate it all.

I am amazed by life,

the journey that is within

and without

it's freedoms,

the debts we carry

dissolved in forgiveness’s cry.

each moment a lesson in gratitude,

each sadness a promise of new beginnings,

even death in all it's grief and finality

leads us to consider eternity,

a hope that is beyond comprehension

yet caught up in grace's promise

that although our wisdom is far too small

love has come

an expectation

that rises out of our own mortality.

I do not presume to begin

to understand,

I am simply overwhelmed

that I am understood,

and we are all homeward bound.

A prayer for patience

I am wrestling with faith,
I am struggling with hope.
I wish to believe
but my mind just can't cope.
So many doors that must open
and I know I must wait,
but my heart is impatient
my soul lacks restraint.
tell me where are you hiding
the answer from my mind,
I am brim full of questions
I am anxious inside.
I long for a hand
to sweep cares away,
but this seems so simple
a childish prayer to pray.
my cynicism is waiting
like an actor in the wings
it scowls and it frown
at spiritual things,
yet I hope for transcendence
an anchor, frail faith
I hope for an answer
and I wait for the day.