Anchored and Secure (101113)

For countless times I have wandered away from Your will,
And have disobeyed Your very voice at crucial moments;
I followed my own plans as if they were better than Yours,
And have grieved Your heart, not only once for sure.

Despite my childish stubbornness and disobedience,
You were always there for me ready to listen;
Whenever I come to You in prayer asking for help,
You always welcome me with arms wide open.

It was through prayer that I felt You most near,
In times when I was down, Your presence was most real;
Through prayer I received Your comfort beyond compare,
It kept me anchored to no one else but You, my Savior and Father.

In those times when I can only see darkness around me,
You reminded me that You are the Source of light;
And though how dim my path had seemed to me,
It was Your hands that led me to the right way.

Therefore, whatever life ahead of me may bring,
I am confident that in You I am safe and secure;
And if ever I’ll be down, weary, or lost once more,
I know I can just come to You without having to pretend at all.

And by faith I know You will never get tired of hearing me when I call,
And You will always be more than willing to help me whenever I am in trouble.

WHAT IF? (102414)

When I heard that someone from a far away land is coming to our place,
I got thrilled, excited, and couldn't wait but see and meet him face to face;
I wondered how our place would be like to have someone like him around,
Wondered how he'll go about or how he'll thrive in our quite complicated land.

Then that day came when we were formally introduced to one another,
Your smile was so genuine and sweet, in my head it lingered;
You seemed to be so friendly not just with me but with everybody else,
Oh! I couldn't help but admire you for being so nice and friendly without pretense.

 
I wasn't sure if it was right to trust someone I just newly met but I did,
In just a short span of time we got along quite so well, I believed;
I enjoyed every conversation with you, and thought you felt the same way too,
You always made my day complete whenever you pass by and say "hello."


Days and weeks passed by and we got to know each other better,
You shared to me your story and trusted me to keep your secrets 'till I'm six feet under;
You showed gestures of kindness and concern that I thought were sweet and genuine,
Until one day I realized I was starting to like you but decided to just keep it within.

But one day you suddenly changed and became silent, 
I couldn't understand why;
Tried to figure out if I've done something silly or said something untimely;
But I couldn't find any good reason to your sudden change of affection,
So I wondered, "Did I just assume that you liked me too though my heart felt otherwise?

Now you're gone but I can't help but still ponder and wonder,
Wonder at the possibility of you and me, now and forever;
But I guess all I have now are "what ifs?" and some "might-have-beens,"
Would you have chosen to stay if I told you or you'll still go leaving me broken?

What if? What if? What if? What if I've said this? What if I've done that?
What would have been your response had I told you how I really like you?
But even if I said it or done that and took the risk of exposing my secret,
I guess there's no guarantee that you will stay and be mine for always.

THE CRY OF MY WEARY SOUL (11.23.11)

Like the psalmist I cry to You O Lord in the midst of my despair

“How long will You hide Your face from me,” my Lord and my Deliverer?

In the midst of my confusion, anxiety, and anguish my heart search for You

But my Refuge and my Strength seems so far off, “Lord, where are You?”

 

I’m running out of strength in this seemingly endless valley

I’m trying to hold on but my soul is already tired and weary;

The turmoil within me seems so intense; I’m losing hope and focus

My heart cries out, “Come now to my rescue my Rock and my Refuge.”

 

In my distress You reminded me of the Israelites’ defiance at Marah

Like them I have been drinking bitter water these past few days;

So bitter that my body can take them no more, my soul thirsts for You

The Israelites then complained and grumbled; now I am tempted to do so.

 

Lord, when shall all these trials and difficulties end and disappear?

You knew my heart is now losing hope, I cannot bear this anymore

Come now Lord and rescue me, deliver me from these trials so many

You promised You’ll give me rest when I’m weary, so please do as You say.

 

I knew from the very start that life in here will be full of trials, and worries too

That You will allow them to come my way to test my character and my trust in You

But now O Lord that they are coming one after the other, I am extremely overwhelmed

Only by Your grace and mercy I will be able to say, “Thy will be done, Adonai.”

 

As I wait for You Lord You reminded me of the springs and the palm trees of Elim

Where You brought the Israelites, where there was abundant water and shade for them

I am still wandering in the wilderness now and the springs are still out of sight

But I hope Lord that the timely refreshing will be mine in Your own perfect time.

 

Whenever that is, please hold me tight and never let go of me my Lord

For if on my own strength I will put my confidence and my trust to survive

Tomorrow may probably be too far before I give up and lay everything aside

So please remind me that I should not fret because You are by my side, always.

IF ONLY (10.17.11)

Ours is just but a casual acquaintance, as the way it seems

We were not even formally introduced the day we first met;

I did not also intend to know who you really are, I did not care

But as days pass by, I often find myself looking at your "Fb" profile.

The sight of you makes my day bright

To have you around is such a delight;

If only I can look straight to your eyes

You'll realize how I long to see your sweet smile.

Whenever you are hurt, burdened, or weary

How I wish I can comfort you to ease the pain away;

If only I can come close to you and whisper in your ear

"God is in control. Everything will be fine, my dear, my dear."

One day, I noticed something different; something wonderful

Unexpectedly, you showed care toward me in such a loving and

thoughtful way;

Oh! My heart leaps with joy as I see you sweetly smiling back at me

Something within me echoed eagerly, "This is the day! This is the

day!"

Surely, that day was not just the ordinary, typical day

We were laughing out loud, enjoying each other’s company;

All of a sudden a light flashed so bright, I cannot open my eyes

When the light faded away, you were also gone leaving me in dismay.

It took a little while before I finally came to my senses

Annoyed by the fact, disappointed, I wishfully uttered to myself;

“If only dreams come true, I am now right beside you for sure

Held by your mighty arms where I will always feel safe and secure.”

IRONIES OF LIFE (08.03.13)

Lord, I feel like I'm lost in a well lighted place
It doesn't make sense but that's how I feel now;
The light seems to be so bright, it almost blinded me
Not to see the way that would lead me straight to You.

My heart longs for You dear God

But You seem to be too far away;

My soul longs for Your sweet presence

But I just can't feel You near me.



Just like the psalmist, it's my prayer Lord 
That You "search me and know my heart;"
That You "test me and know my anxious thoughts"
And please guide me to the way that leads to You.



In my weakness Lord, You are my strength 
Teach me to fully trust in Your ways;
Even if it may sometimes mean suffering and pain
Help me Lord to run the race with You 'till the end.