He leads me gently.
Yet.
Firmly.
With His Shepherd's
rod and staff.
Through every mountain
and valley.
Warning me to stay on
His path.
But then...
the Wolf comes.
He lures me.
He entices me.
To desire.
To lust after.
What my eyes see.
To crave the things
which do not satisfy.
To spend my wages
feeding on ashes.
Instead of the Bread
of His Word.
And His Presence.
I buy into the lie.
I stray.
I go my own way.
As my Shepherd looks on...
grieved and righteously angry.
He sorrowfully.
But sternly.
Breaks me with His rod.
To bring me back into the fold.
Back close to His heart.
He disciplines me in
His Love.
To spare me more pain.
Down the road.
To keep me near Him,
and in His arms enfold.
I cry out for mercy.
He hears my humble plea.
And.
Rescues me.
In tears of repentance
and desperation.
I fall on my knees.
His Blood washes over me.
And makes me clean.
I stand to my feet.
With renewed strength.
And lift my hands.
In praise.
In praise of His mercy.
In praise of His Love.
In praise for all He is.
In praise for my redemption.
In praise.
For His Shepherd's
rod and staff.
For He never fails.
To lead this wayward sheep.
Back to His path.