Nikolaeva Nastia from Pexels via Canva Pro

Photo courtesy of Nikolaeva Nastia from Pexels via Canva Pro

The Builder

It doesn’t have to be this way . . .

A wobbling stepping stone for your path,
A protested story for your dusty shelf.
I have ignored the uncontrolled heartache,
Emerging only in perfect versions of myself.

If I would say the words buried where they could hear,
I risk the evidence of greater pain.
Misplaced understanding mocks my reflection,
The result only more of the same.

Experienced avoidance protects this hidden tale.
But my soul wants to scream deception out loud.
One ignores, one comforts, one pretends, one protests,
I still smile when they all comment how proud.

The access sways my spirit between right and safe,
The game leaves what is left draining dry.
I call out for His wisdom and guidance and strength,
Only numb with no tears left to cry.

I confess rescued fears wearing me down,
I hold out the ripped blankets of shame.
I rage over kindness unnoticed and passed by,
But His words that follow know me by name.

I didn’t ask you to do what I already do,
Saving the world was never your task.
The chasing of faulted plans cured by fire,
Only reveals cracked mirrors of the past.

Your overturned heart does not have to stay torn.
There is freedom in the peace that provides.
There will always be another chasm of pain,
Another frustration knocking forward aside.

Not enable and hide, but love people and God,
This was the command I defined.
You are stronger than you want to reveal,
For your heart is secure when wrapped in mine.

Guard your heart against the ongoing rescue.
Stand firm in the love of the cross.
Know your place is not hiding their hand,
These efforts are only getting you lost.

The weighted burden of being foundation,
Is not your burden to bear.
You are not a traitor revealed by your no,
You are my greatest concern and care.

Build up the fences that are called for in need,
Tear down the walls blocking your way,
It will still be a compassionate journey for both,
For my redeeming love is here to stay.

Life for Stock via freepik

Just a Thought

I have had the pleasure of reading Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa Terkeurst over the last few weeks. Within the words on the page, I have found hundreds of connected truths. As I worked my way through mirrored descriptions of my own issues, I knew there must be a reason to tell the story of my tug of war with boundaries. Her words reminded me how many people are out there facing the same battle. I wanted to write about it, but never found the words that fit my journey exactly. Then one morning, while reading a chapter, I felt the words pour out in a poem. I had just experienced a challenging week of setting boundaries out of necessity rather than choice, and I was struggling. What I know about my God is usually the story of my struggle is his way of helping someone else. I hope it does.

My Favorite Heartbeats

Just for You

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (NIV) ~ Proverbs 4:23

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Shannon Leach is a slice-of-life encouragement writer and the owner of A Repurposed Heart and ARH Inspirations. Her authentic stories and books about leadership, life, and loving people focus on encouraging others and reminding them they are not alone. Her work can also be found in Guideposts and multiple Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is the co-founder of the nonprofit The Fostered Gift.

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Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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