My Love Song

Lately I've been getting back into the habit of expressing myself through written word--whether it's blogging, journaling, writing prayers or poetry--I find that I feel most comforted and at peace when I'm writing. Not only that but I learn best when I meditate and write as well. I'd like to share with you a poem/song I wrote a few months ago when my life was in such deep turmoil. I wrote it looking back on all that I had overcome and looking ahead at the wonderful things in store.

My Love Song

I felt so very broken,
As if I were unwhole.
So I searched for missing pieces
To complete my lonely soul.

Although I knew you God,
My struggles still were great.
Constantly tempted to sin,
Turning back far too late.

I walked with you there
In the valley of death.
But did not trust you Lord,
When my faith you did test.

The winds the blew me over.
The skies they darkened black.
The rivers they arose,
With Satan at my back.

And the wind blew harder still,
Bringing me to my knees—
It was there I found you Lord,
It was there I found your peace.

I cried out to you,
For mercy I did plea,
“Deliver me dear Jesus!
My Lord, rescue me!”

The Prince of Peace heard
My brother he answered me.
He gave me the strength I needed
To sail through stormy seas.

The winds and waves they howled,
The father of lies, he hissed.
He tried to make me fall again,
But all his snares did miss.

Let this be my love song,
A true testament of your grace—
Lord, when I did not have the strength,
You equipped me to run the race.

For Jesus, you did prune me,
Of all my fruitless vines.
In Christ Jesus I am rooted
With all His glory divine.

Nurture me and grow me,
My great Immanuel.
You are God of everything,
May my life this story tell.

To Yaweh be the glory
To God and God alone.
I am just a traveler,
This world is not my home.

You’ve set aside a place for me
A home that’s truly mine
When Heaven’s splendor I will see
For all the rest of time.

There will be more storms
Of troubles, I am sure
But Jesus I will follow
My LORD He will endure!

Stepping Up

This is my soapbox. I’m stepping up on my crate, in the middle of the park—so to speak—standing on the street corner of the Internet, shouting my opinions and beliefs to many a wary passerby.

I don’t have an agenda, although you may not believe that. I have no aim, no goal, no true purpose or anything life shattering to say. This blog is not for you. No, I’m sorry to say that, but it’s true. This blog is not for you, it is for me. Yes, this street corner is public and in every way I am sharing with you my thoughts and beliefs, but unlike others who stand on crates in the park—I am not here to tell you what I believe, so much as I am here to tell myself what I believe.

That’s it. That is all. There you have the summary of my soapbox. I am not preaching at you. You can continue to “walk” by. No one is forcing you to stay. But should you choose to stay, you may learn a few things. But more importantly, I have begun this journey to learn a few things myself. Thoughts and beliefs become so much more real when they are turned into written word.  

I am not standing on my soapbox to try and tell you what you should believe, or how you should live. What I write is for me—but in the course of my essays, should you learn something from my own walk, from my mistakes, from my victories, that would bring me great honor.

I will not try and trick you into thinking this blog is about one thing when it’s really about something else; like I previously stated, I have no agenda, and neither do I have a hidden one.  My soapbox is about my life, and every aspect of my life is somehow related to my relationship with God and my walk with Jesus Christ.

I am not a theologian, I have no fancy degree. I have no credentials whatsoever. But I have something much more powerful and meaningful than credentials—I have life experience. But let it be perfectly clear, so that no person may cast judgment—I am not always right. When it comes to a Christian walk, we all have different opinions and feelings, and my experiences have shaped my own beliefs. I am an imperfect person, a sinner. I make mistakes.

My soapbox is not a forum. But should you have questions, I welcome a friendly conversation. There is only room for love on this soapbox, and if you chose love, well then there is room for you too. It is my prayer that I offend no one, that I say no wrong things—but like I said, I am imperfect, and it is bound to happen. Should I fall, please forgive me. Should I offend you, please tell me kindly. I wish to hurt no one, only to spread the gracious love that has been so lavishly given to me.

So here I am Lord. I am standing on my soapbox, please don’t let the shuffling of the crowds knock me down. Help me to be true to you in all that I say and do. I pray that through my soapbox I will learn more about You and the life You want me to live. Grow me, God, teach me.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

With love,

Amanda Q