when heaven touches earth

Some days we feel like the cruelties and evil of this world just become too much to bear,
a hopeless cause,
a place you and I will never be able to change or make a difference in.
You want to turn your face from the tragedies and heartbreak all around you,
because yes,
sometimes living in this fallen world can be exhausting.

But other days,
heaven touches earth
and you can feel your very bones vibrate with the hope that He brings when He comes near.
Near to the mess,
near to the brokenness,
near to the hopelessness.

& on the days when His Kingdom comes close,

so close you want to reach out and touch it,

grab onto it with both hands and never let go,

you will know it more than ever,

that you, dear child,

are living for something more,

something unseen,

something eternal.

hold me right

For so long I've stood,
arms open,
a welcome sign hung around my neck,
welcoming in all who are seeking,
always thinking I must have what they are looking for

but this welcoming in has taken its toll,
this always giving myself away
to people who forget my name after they
have wiped away their last tear
or lifted their head up from my shoulder,
it has left me seeking,
seeking after someone like me

so from now on
I swear I will

wrap these arms around myself, 

I will hold my own body tight,

I will hold this body right. 

royal poetry

The story of us
involves doubt and unbelief,
learning to trust when I (really) don't feel like it,
learning how not to feel powerless in all I can't control,
learning how to find freedom in surrender.

None of my questions have ever fazed You,
nothing I do or say comes as a surprise to You.

You are the only One who can love me this way,
through my highest highs
and lowest lows,
all the same,
without hesitation,
without limits,
sacrificial,
unconditional.

You are the only One who looks at my mess and calls it 'holy',
the only One who calls me 'complete'
as I run to you with scrapes and scars and broken pieces,
the only One who sews me back together when I start tearing at the seams.

Your love is the truest and purest love I've ever known,

Your love is what keeps this universe from falling apart,

Your love is the deepest mystery humanity has ever tried to solve.

Yet,
here I am,
ordinary,
messed up,
broken,

and I am loved by You.