What more could He have done?
Than to give up His only Son.
To display the depths of His Love
to mother, daughter, father, son.
His Love.
For everyone.
His Love for those who do not seek Him.
His Love for those who wickedly,
deliberately turn against Him.
Time and time again.
For all of us, like sheep, do go astray.
From our Good Shepherd.
And we go our own way.
Yet...
still He loves us.
Still, He pursues us.
Still, He refuses to be without us.
So He displayed His Love,
His Passion,
in the Highest form.
With the Greatest Sacrifice.
The world has ever known.
With the Sacrifice that grieved
His own heart.
To buy us back,
from Satan
and the Kingdom of the Dark.

What more could He have done?
Than to give up His only Son.
What more could He have done
to show how great is His Love for us,
each and every one?

What more could He have done?
Than to give up His only Son?
What more could He have done?
What more could He have done.
To LOVE us.

When will I just stop running away from Love?
Running away from Him.
And just climb into His lap,
and be held in His arms.
When?
When I am broken.

In the present...
there is no fear.
there is no sorrow.
there is no regret.
there is no loss.
There
is
no
lack.
For in the present...
is where
GOD IS.

I think of you now in Paradise.
Where the roses never die.
You stand beside Him in Glory.
In irreproachable Light.
Clothed in brilliant white.
Beside your Heavenly Bridegroom.
Holding a bouquet of red roses in your hands.
You are His Bride.
In whom He delights.
I am happy for you, sweet mother.
Although I miss you so.

A gentle smile alights your face.
As you stand beside Him.
Bathed in glorious Light.
Your heart is healed and whole now.
I see you running through gardens of roses,
Like a little girl.
With your Good Shepherd next to you.
Roses.
How you loved them!
Red roses.

Now you dwell in Glory.
Forever with the One who loves you perfectly.
Who loves you passionately.
Together you walk hand in hand with Your Eternal Bridegroom.
Where the roses never die.
Where the roses.
Never.
Die.

Snow.
So cold.
Showers down.
Upon the ground.
Icing up roads.
Laying branches low.
I journey,
white-knuckled,
to my destination.
I step out.
The frozen air bites my face.
Will this Winter ever end?
Will Spring ever come?
Then...
just when I've settled in.
To accept two more months
of Jack Frost.
Winter breathes.
Her final breath.
And Spring.
Comes.
At last.

How harsh is the Winter!
How bitter the cold!
Icing up roads.
Biting fingers and toes.
So cold.
Bitter is the cold.
Is there any sign of relief?
Is there any retreat?
Oh, how I long for the summer heat!
Bitter is the cold.

Driving down the Winter road,
with eyes fixed forward.
I behold...
Warmth and wonder in the skies!
A bright orange glow
shines down upon the snow.
Its brightness fills the sky.
So very full.
And this bitterly cold day,
is suddenly
transformed.
By the warmth and wonder
of brilliant orange light!
Oh, what a glorious, glorious sight!
Is the Winter sky.
So softly bright.

(edited)

My hands are cold.
They have not another hand to hold.
They are becoming wrinkled and old.
With time’s passage.
Work-weary hands. Hands used to create. To write words to my King. To love. To heal. To serve.
To.
Sin.

My hands are cold.
They have not another hand to hold.
But the nail-scarred hand of the One who is unseen.
The One who heals me, loves me, restores, redeems.
The One who cups my face in His hands and says:
“With you, I am pleased.”
The One who takes my hand, aging with time,
And says:
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He who will sustain you and carry you.” (Is. 46:3-4, para.)

My hands are no longer cold.
No longer without a touch of love to fill them.
For my Redeemer who loves me is holding onto me.
He takes hold of my right hand and says: “Fear not.” (Is. 41:13)

I walk forward now in peace.
With hands no longer cold.
Within His grasp.

Despite my unworthiness.
Despite my waywardness.
Despite my wretchedness.
You choose to love me.

Despite how many times I grieve You.
Doubt you.
Turn to idols, putting them over You.
You choose to pursue me.

Despite my brokenness.
My blindness.
My weakness.
You choose to embrace me.

Your love is beyond any Love I have ever known.
For it has no end.
It has no limits.
Your Love is compassionate.
Merciful.
Fierce.
Tender.
It draws me.
It woos me.
To stay close to Thee.
To stay.
Safe in Your arms.
To be the wounded sheep.
Held in the healing embrace
of her Shepherd.
To be healed.
By His Love.

Thank You, Lord.
that despite all that I am.
Despite all that I've done.
You choose.
To love me.