Friday, November 12, 2010

A Walk in New Shoes

I have to head to work, but wanted to share this first...
As I spent some time journaling this morning, the only explanation I can think of is that the words below poured from God's heart into mine. I've never been a poetry writer, but these words just spilled out onto the page. 

A Walk in New Shoes

The other Day, God summoned me
to take a walk with Him,
He planned to prepare me for a journey,
although I didn’t know it then.

He said, “I want to give you these,
I’ve made them just for you.
You may not understand it now,
they’re a gift; your new shoes”

I managed to whisper “Thank you, Father”
as tears welled in my eyes.
I looked down at the pair of shoes
and simply asked Him “why?”.

You see, these shoes my Father made,
they are ugly and they’re cold.
It hurts my body to walk in them
but, I’ll do as I’m told.

When people look upon me now,
it’s with sympathy and sorrow.
I limp along in these new shoes
just praying for tomorrow.

Maybe when tomorrow comes,
or down the road some years
I’ll find myself walking taller,
in less pain; with fewer tears.

Maybe then, these shoes will feel
more broken in; worn down.
Maybe I’ll finally find comfort
In these shoes which I’ve been bound.

 “Excuse me Father, I don’t understand
How these are a gift for me.
They’re uncomfortable and painful
And as ugly as can be.”

“You see, my child, I give you these
They’re modeled after mine
I’ve walked the road in these same shoes
As I too, watched my son die.

You do not understand it now,
But somewhere down the road,
You’ll find they make you stronger
You’ll find they make you grow.

Right now you may fall often,
you’ll stumble and you’ll cry.
The pain and grief unbearable,
 you’ll often ask me “why?”

Keep walking in these shoes, My child,
just trust me and you’ll see,
the sorrow and pain of wearing them
will ease as you walk with Me.”

For each, these shoes are custom made,
they’ve been hammered, chiseled and filed
If you’ve been handed a pair of these
Then you too have lost a child.


You, too, have dropped down to your knees
as you begged, pleaded and prayed,
and were then forced to say the hardest goodbye 
to your child who could not stay. 

Yet, Our Father’s own hands molded these shoes
with love and joy and tears.
They are made to grow stronger, yet comfortable
as we carry this burden for years.

My friend, I have even considered it,
But won’t trade my shoes with you
No one should have to bear this burden
And already, too many do.

These shoes, you see, they are a gift,
as unbearable as they may be.
I’ll wear them because He asked me to
and they’ll forever be part of me.

Maybe I'll add more at some point, but just wanted to share what God put on my heart this morning. 


9 comments:

  1. This is absolutely beautiful. You have such a way with words Danielle.
    (((Hugs))

    ReplyDelete
  2. Danielle, this is perfect. The road you've been asked to walk and the shoes you've been asked to walk in aren't things anyone would choose. I can't possibly comprehend how losing Aaron could be a gift anymore than I can comprehend it in the loss of my own son. I am sure these shoes poke your feet and make them bleed -- that it feels like being asked to walk in them is impossible.

    And it is. One human heart cannot hold that much sorrow.

    But you aren't asked to carry it alone.

    much love,
    k

    ReplyDelete
  3. Spiritually beautiful...thank you for the glimpse into what God is speaking to you. Prayers for you always.

    Tara

    ReplyDelete
  4. The sorrow that your life has been tasked to bare is surpassed only by the creativity and love that flows from your heart.
    Love ya!
    Dad

    ReplyDelete
  5. Know that we will be walking beside you...all the way, and all the time! love you, mom xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Absolutely beautiful.

    Melissa

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Words with such raw emotion are seldom shared with strangers - Thank You . I pray that you and your husband will find peace and comfort in knowing that God shared a very special gift with you if only for a short time . Catrina

    ReplyDelete

 
Designed by Lena