Hurt

by

Helpful Words

Collecting these poems
      has been quite a trip.
If I think of it much
      my mind still does flip.
I even have poems
      that pass through my brain.
My mind is uncertain
      so to share, I refrain.
It’s not that they’re bad,
      they all are quite true.
I think some are for me
      while some are for you.

Sometimes it does seem
      that many do think.
From speaking their thoughts,
      they never should shrink.
If they have a thought
      show up in their head.
Of course they will speak it,
      it has to be said.
We live in a time
      when we think it’s our right.
To say what we want
      no matter who is in sight.

It seems we’ve forgotten
      an important fact.
To think first of others
      is how we should act.
And part of our action
      is the way we do speak.
So guard your words closely
      their good you would seek.
Truth doesn’t sink in
      if we have no love.
And love that is pure
      must come from above.

So when words do hurt,
      in whole or in part.
Look so much closer,
      examine the heart.
Sometimes words hurt
      because we must learn.
The truth of the words
      is what we did earn.
If love is the motive
      that drives what we do.
The hurt isn’t fatal
      it’s meant to help you.

This I do know
      because of what I have read.
I open the Bible
      and read what God said.
Some of His words
      cut straight to the heart.
But His love does fill me,
      so healing can start.
To be more like Jesus,
      that is my aim.
So I pray that my words
      would do just the same.
©

My mind seems to be filled with poems lately and some specifically that remind me of God’s love and care through very difficult circumstances and in the midst of feelings of unjust treatment at various times in my life.  While these have brought me great peace and comfort, it seems like I get a very clear “Not now” when I think about sharing them.  As a couple of those were going through my head this morning, reminding me of God’s goodness, He put this poem in my mind to share with you.  I pray that it is a help and encouragement to you and that it brings glory to God.

In prayer,
Tom

by

God’s Way

Words seem so empty
      when friends have great hurt.
 If it would help them,
      I’d give them my shirt.
We plan and we dream
      and we work really hard.
Yet, when our dreams are shattered
      we get cut by the shard.
While the wound isn’t open
      with blood rushing out.
The hurt is as painful
      and we want to shout!

We sit and we wonder,
      we’ve waited so long.
How in the world
      did things go so wrong.
The days have no answers
      the nights creep on past.
The hurting continues,
      how long will it last.
 Then we start to question,
      when life’s so unfair.
What have I done, so
      that no one would care?

In these long moments
      and miserable days.
 It’s very important
      that I change my gaze.
 Looking within me
      is a good place to start.
To examine my motives
      and clean up my heart.
To change what needs changin’
      from inside to out.
 And do it completely
      to leave room for no doubt.

When I have examined
      all that’s inside.
 I lift up my head,
      I have nothing to hide.
 I look back with sorrow
     at what was back there.
 Then look up to heaven
      to feel His great care.
 It’s in this here moment
      that I understand.
 My God did not cause this,
      He is holding my hand.

So what am I saying
      and what have I learned?
In the midst of rejection
      when I feel so spurned.
Whether it’s my fault
      or the fault of some man.
 God’s not left wondering,
      He still has a plan.
It may not be better
      as people will say.
But it will be good,
      for that is God’s way.

©

I wrote this poem . . . or more accurately, this poem fell out of my head in about 10 minutes as I was praying for some friends who are going through a difficult time. Difficult times are never pleasant — that’s why they’re called difficult times 😉 — but they can help us grow strong in faith and compassion. I pray that whatever difficult times you find yourself in, that you would allow God to strengthen and comfort you so that you can be used to strengthen and comfort others. I pray that these words reach all who God purposed them to touch as He gave them to me.

In prayer,
Tom Lemler