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Kept
Joyce C Lock
When God made my living soul,
He put in me a craving thirst;
What would satisfy my heart,
How to put Him first.
I learned my mother prayed a lot,
No matter where we were.
In any trouble, on the farm,
Her faith was real to her.
I didn't want a shallow life
Of only earthy things;
Sport and fashion, boys and toys ~
Whatever this life brings ...
But to grow my faith in God
(In action, writing, song).
I wanted to tell everyone
That, to Him, my heart belonged.
But as I left behind my childhood,
Was my faith inside for real?
Did I know the God inside my heart,
How secure did I feel?
But, God began to show Himself
In the rolling of the car.
I knew, then, He held my wheel;
That He is my Morning star.
I longed for Him to walk with me,
To softly call my name,
To feel Him stirring in my heart;
My cry was not a game.
The years moved on. I wanted more,
As hardship came along.
My children needed mothering,
With faith that's real and strong.
I cried out, "God, please come to me.
I need all of You within,
To survive the trials of life
And cope with this world's sin."
Thus, God's tapestry wove on
With sorrow, loss, and hurt.
My life sunk into ashes.
My soul was raw and burnt.
I couldn't bear that He went quiet.
I begged for Him to speak,
"Reveal Yourself and show me truth.
Your fullness, Lord, I seek."
And so, His Hand came down,
To pick up my broken heart.
His Word soaked up my weeping
And showed me of His path.
He loved me in my weakness.
My human sin is why He died.
He hung upon the cross for me,
With His loving arms held wide.
His soul was stripped and bare.
I could see what took Him there.
He had no other plan,
Than to deliver me from care.
Now, He dwelt within me
Like He'd been there all the time'
Not a stranger, but a Father,
Wanting only to be mine.
So, I continued in His service;
So much with Him to do.
But, He had another plan;
More to take me through.
Thus, He took away my stamina;
My strength to work for Him.
"Lord, What use can I be now,
Without a healthy limb."
I couldn't bear Him discarding me.
So, I begged for Him to heal.
"Please, let me be of use to You,
With faith that is more real."
But then, He took away my mind.
That, I had treasured, too ...
My voice, hearing, sight, affected;
Fright, forgetting all I knew.
I wanted to depart this world.
For, I was a worthless life.
Now, just a burden to my family;
Not a mother or a useful wife.
But, from that grave, God spoke to me;
My empty cup to fill.
I saw Him with my heart
And began to understand His will.
His Word rings strong and true,
As He softly holds me near.
He is the answer to my questions.
He is the One who stills my fear.
The path I walk on, now,
Will never be the same.
For, He's touched me with His presence
And I'm glad He made me lame.
As I hear Him speak my name,
I see who walks with me.
God's creation shines with wonder.
I am kept, eternally.
May you know enough of joy
To make you ever sweet,
Enough trials for God to make you strong,
And enough sorrow to make your life complete.
May hope lift high your heart.
For, the contented don't have the boast.
They just make the most
Of every simple bit of toast.
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