Repentance

Repentance

By Elizabeth D.

We say we’re sorry,

but do we mean it?

We say we repent,

but do we really?

Or are we just sorry we were caught?

How can forgiveness

come before repentance?

Is not repentance the key?

How can restoration

come before realization?

Can you fix what you cannot see?

Do not apologize

for misbehavior,

do not repent

of misdeeds,

without truly meaning it.

Forgiveness can come,

after true repentance.

A heartfelt plea from the soul.

Restoration can come,

after realization.

A Time to Change

A Time to Change

By Erin B.

A time to change

You say I have to change

But it’s not easy to do

You expect me to change

Well what about you

Time changes things, 
how far and how long will it take

But change can also heal old wounds

The Future, By Rachel S.

The Future 

By Rachel S.

I don’t know what my future will hold.

I don’t know if I’ll move or if I’ll stay.

I’m just a kid with dreams so bold,

I’m young and I’m so flawed.

I’m scared if what might happen,

What if I make a mistake??

Will the whole world explode if I slip and fall??

Then the still small voice of truth washes over me.

“I will direct your paths.”

My paths will be directed.

He has his hand upon my life.

If I mess up, he is still there for me.

If I walk through a dark valley, he will still be there for me.

When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

He will still be there with me.

So I will not fear.

Because he is with me both now and forevermore.

Held, By TreAnna B.

Held
By TreAnna B.

I feel the crushing weight
of life slowly leeching
away my light. The light
You gave me to shine—
burning so brightly.

Extinguished.

What good can I possibly do? I’m
only one. I’m only a girl. I don’t hold
the knowledge of those twice my age...

Yet I am held.

Doubt weighs me down. What
do you want me to do? I can’t...
I’m not...
worthy?
Smart?
Beautiful?
I don’t possess these attributes.
At least...I don’t...think...

Yet I am held.

Temptations. Sparkling bits of sin
that draw me closer, closer, closer,
TRAPPED!
I can’t find my way out, I don’t
want to find my way out...

Yet I am held.

Held so tightly, tenderly
in hands scarred by my own
transgressions. Hands
that can bring back the light.

Hands that can crush the doubt.

Hands that can free me from temptations.

I am held.

To live is Christ and to die is Gain, By Sarah K.

To live is Christ and to die is Gain
By Sarah K.

“For to me

To live is Christ

And to die is gain.“

(Philippians 1:21)

Twelve simple words

Meaning so amazing!

So divine!

To live

To truly live

Is Christ

To be every moment

In His embrace

Surrounded by His

Deep, deep love

So high and low

Wide and deep…

His blessings

And trials

To make us shine bright

Ever brighter for Him.

I cannot comprehend

What to live as Christ means

It’s too wonderful for

Frail human me.

To die is gain!

No fear of death?

No last gasp of terror

Then onward to the unknown

Darkness beyond?

Never

Onward to golden cities

No pain

No tears

Perfection!

The best part…

To be with Christ

To live and die

For Him

With Him

For if to live is Christ

Then to die is truly gain.

I Surrender, By Kaitlyn F.

I Surrender
By Kaitlyn F.

I look up.
Everywhere I look I see
Red.
Weapons surround me.
The opponent,
Stronger than a pack of lions.

Me.
All by myself.
No weapons,
No one to back me up.
But I have to fight,
For I can’t afford to lose.

The opponent knows well my weaknesses.
They bury me in ten feet of homework.
They yell worthless every time I miss a ball on the field.
They whisper that I will never be as good as anyone I look up to.
They stress me out to the point where I make myself sick.
But I can’t give in.
I fight and fight
But for every step forward,
I take ten steps back.
I back up farther and farther,
Until I am in a corner, stuck
But I continue to fight.

The opponent feeds on my fear.
They get stronger while I get weaker.
I am losing everything I have.
But I keep going and going
And going and
Going,
Until

I SURRENDER!

But then everything stops,
I see a hand reach down.
I look at the face of my savior.
"Take my hand" he says.
I take his hand.

We land in a nice clearing.
"What took you so long to surrender?"
"Why didn't you step in sooner?" I ask
"I would have but you were stuck in your ways.
You were persistent in fighting this battle.
But don't you know I have already won the war?"

I know feel guilty.
I can't do this all by myself.
I look up to see him fading.
"Wait what if I need you again?"

He smiles and says,
"For I am always with you.
All you need to do is surrender."
And with that he was gone,
But I felt him closer than ever.

I surrender.

My Call, By Erin B.

My call
By Erin B.

I called you

And you didn’t answer

Where are you?

I can’t find you

So tell me where you are

How far away are you

I reach for you

And I can’t feel you

Around me anymore

So reach for me

And I'll know you're near