Midnight Enchantment

Inside, my heart beats wildly. Reaching out His hand, He takes mine in His.; Mine fits perfectly, encompassed by the scars that stretch across His palm. Looking into my eyes He says only one thing. Follow me. His eyes alight with the fire of the night, the stars dancing overhead. A thrill of wonder shoots down my spine. Eagerly I take one step forward, then another, each one in sync with His.

Running through the midnight forest, I could feel His love and joy. Breathing deeply, the cool night air fills my lungs. All around crickets chirp, bullfrogs croak, owls question. Where is He taking me? The mystery causes my pace to quicken. But He motions for me to wait, to let Him lead. And so I do.

Eyes wide with anticipation, I look all around. My guide reliable, I worry not where I tread. Vague shapes of trees peek out through the darkness. Overhead, the moon peers through the leaves, basking us in its glow.

His step starts to slow. For a moment He looks back at me as if to say ‘are you ready?’ I pause only for a second before I nod yes. Drawing me close His hands move up my face to cover my eyes. Complete darkness sets in. No longer can I see the stars. No longer can I see His face. I didn’t understand. Why was He hiding Himself? My breathing becomes short and sporadic. Panic sets in. I forget His touch, I forget His nearness. Questions start to fill my mind, pushing out all His joy and love that had earlier filled my senses.

Suddenly He steps in, His voice interceding, commanding the questions to stop. A power, so majestical rang throughout His voice. The blackness disappears. Leaving me once again in His arms.

Swiftly, a jet of shame shot through me. It took only seconds before I doubted Him. One moment, and He was banished from my mind. Hanging my head to my chest, a single tear rolled down my cheek in shame. ‘I’m sorry.’

However, my head did not hang for long. His loving hand cupped my chin, lifting my gaze to His. ‘You are mine. Never am I ashamed of you, my love.’

As He gazed at me, I saw the question again. “Are you ready?”

My reserve was set. ‘Yes.’

Taking a deep breathe, I calmed myself and waited as I felt His hand, once again, cover my eyes. After a moment, He stepped forward, taking me with Him. Noticing my stumble, He slowed, turned around, and walked backwards, letting my feet settle into His footsteps.

After what seemed like eternity, He stopped again. He wished to show me something; He could barely contain His excitement. I could feel it radiating through the air.

Taking His hands from my eyes, He said, “Look what I have made for you.”

I needed not to look at His face to see the smile so evident in His voice. Opening my eyes I looked around. At first, all I could see was darkness. Confused, I kept looking. Then, to my right, a soft glow blinked on, then dissipated. More and more shown everywhere. Small sparkles of light danced all around.

Complete wonder overtook me. Fireflies were everywhere; my own little world of enchantment right at my fingertips. I could not close my eyes for fear I’d blink and it would all be gone. Eyes wide, I tried to take everything in.

Contentment settled deep within my soul. I never wanted to move, never wanted to go back to anything else. For what could ever be as beautiful as this?

A small sigh escaped my lips. Remembering once again who stood beside me, I leaned back and let His arms enfold me.

A swift movement caught my attention. Somewhere among the trees, a shadow drifted in and out. I stiffened. Then I heard His voice. His mouth pressed close to my ear He said, “Watch this.”

And we were off. Reaching for my hand with one of His, He encircled my waist with the other. Swinging me around and around we danced. As we did, a brilliant light shown forth from His face, lighting up the darkness.

The first thing I noticed was that there was not one, but many dark shadows hiding amidst the trees. At first they had seemed to inch closer and closer. But as soon as His light shown forth, they flinched, flinging themselves back into the shadows, as if for cover. Soft hisses of anger could be heard. Their beady little black eyes watched me with hate.

Unsure, I looked up into the eyes of my love. He smiled back at me, reassuring me. He led me around the circle of light, spinning and guiding me. In that moment, I knew He loved me unconditionally. I felt it. His eyes were only for me. A thought suddenly occurred to me. He was showing me off.

Astonishment widened my eyes. Reading the question in my glance, His smile only broadened.

Yes indeed. He was showing me off.

I soon realized that none of the creatures dared get anywhere near His light. It was as if it were death for them. Everything in them screamed out against it. Yet they were powerless to do anything about it. And they knew it. All they could do was sit and watch, as their One enemy paraded by, showing them who it was He loved. Letting them know that I was His. They could not touch me. And they hated it.

I knew that no matter what I did, no matter how hard I fell, or how deep fear enveloped me, He would always claim me. Forever would He tell the world that I was His.

Escape

Daring to do that which had always been in the back of her mind. Run. The intoxicating thrill of simple day dream, of what it would be like, to defy everything within her, had always been enough. But one stone too many had been dropped upon her. One too many to just ignore. It was either lay beneath and die of suffocation, or break free and run. Everything within cried out to be free, to will her muscles to move and break away. To no longer think, but to just act.

She struggled to shift past the weight. Weight placed upon her by those constantly around her. Responsibility. Expectations thrown at her, to live the life she had locked herself into. Sensibility always a close companion. Never having had childish fantasies carried out through immaturity. Meticulously living, so as to not mess up. Denied the priveledges of mistake. As tight as her life held her, stricter still did she bind herself. A close watch by day, prying eyes by night. None left her be. Simply, her mind begged her flee.

Inside, a barren land marred by war. To love or not to love? So simple were the words, yet locked tight within. His life, his worries, had become her own. Yet, oblivious was he to the power that he held over her. She wanted to be a part, but dared not voice the words. Moment after moment passed, the suspense building. To be with him. To see his eyes look upon her with loving adoration. That was what she desired. But she could not, she dared not. All but he could see this love grown so carefully. And so, her devoted heart lay dieing on the street, with nothing to shield it from the cold.

And so she escaped the only way she knew how.

Opening her window, glaring down at the ground. How far, she did not know. But jump she did. Nights cool air flew all around her, entangling her, egging her further. One step and then another. Without a backward glance, she set her sights upon the moon and its elegant glow. So enticing. Her footsteps quickened, her breathing picking up pace. She left the light of her barred home.

Leaves rustled all around. The thrill of carrying out her long nurtured escape, filled her veins. On she fled. Over logs, fallen trees, the grass wet beneath her barren feet. The darkened depths of a distant lake reflected night times sky king, seen in pieces through the trees. The evening croon of darkness’ creatures were heard all around. Danger lurked around every corner. Fear finally pushed past the intoxication, reaching into her senses.

And so she returned to the room that held her captive, never having left it. As minutes ticked by, she finished typing the last few words of her longed for dream. Remembering why she dared not escape. She knew not what was out there. Dared not find out. But one day, perhaps she’ll find escape beyond her words, one not only inside her head.

W.T.T.H- Simply

A simple girl, a loving girl.

Soft green eyes, golden blonde hair.

A heart for two, a love for one.

Devoted to her God,

Doted upon by her God.

Head in the clouds, her heart in His hands.

Waiting, simply waiting.

Golden bright does He shine.

Guiding her, leading her,

Loving her.

Meek, mild, a heart for peace, a heart for the hurting.

Crying though they be,

In her arms shall they be found.

Through her, comforted by Another.

Their hurts, His hurts,

She made them her own,

Crying for many who’d found they’d been disowned.

But always, He’d lead her back

To within His loving arms.

Always did He welcome her back

Into His warm embrace.

It was this she never questioned,

And it was for that

That she was blamed.

So searching did she go.

And it was searching He let her do.

None was what she wanted.

She wanted back.

And so she went.

But the door through which she exited

Was nowhere to be found.

Where now? She thought.

Please lead, she pleaded.

Nothing felt wrong, but nothing was right.

She begged to return once again.

And so He let her.

But the entrance by which she went

Was one through which she’d never been.

A heart torn in two.

A world made of black and blue.

Of hidden tears,

And blinded peers.

Now she is the one hurting.

The one who’s been disowned

With no one to take her hurts as their own.

Crumpled she sits

In her tears she lies.

Holding in her hands

A cold and mangled heart.

Lord take it from me now.

Though dead it may be,

Resurrected You shall make it.

Maybe now is not the time.

For I wish to sit and weep.

For now is the time to mourn.

I invite You to cry with me.

But one day,

The dawn shall break

Shining through these darkened clouds.

Light will come through

This heavy night that surrounds.

For that I wait.

For that I still breathe.

By that, I know I shall live.

But for now

I simply weep.

W.T.T.H- A Man of Beauty

WTTH- A Man of Beauty

See the man on the corner,

The one sitting all by his lonesome.

Holding a sign, singing his grief.

A man of solitude.

A man of sorrow.

Why do our eyes turn the other way?

Do you see the girl

Standing behind you?

A simple appearance, nothing of beauty.

Is that all?

All that thought forms,

Inside your head?

Do you take heed of her hurts?

Her bruises of invisibility?

What about the child?

Playing at your feet?

Head to toe in mud he’s covered.

The brown earth his only kingdom.

In scabs he lives,

In boils he breathes.

But none come close

To hear him grieve.

So many like this inhabit our world.

Nothing unique, nothing beautiful,

To draw us close.

Yet they’re as real as we.

All are sick, all are lonely.

All have their own tale of heartache and woe.

Many pretend that it doesn’t exist,

Pushing aside those with sorrows untold.

This is how He came to us.

Nothing special.

Not made of beauty,

Nor robed in majesty.

Despised and rejected,

He sat alone.

A man of sorrows and bitterest grief.

We turned our backs and sharpened our tone.

Yet something about Him drew some close.

They followed and watched

Waiting for a clue

As to what it was

That would not let them go.

He simply loved.

Appearance He looked not at,

Nor wealth and standing.

Patience and kindness, love and discernment.

He knew our hearts,

Our words unspoken.

He gave heed

To those long forgotten.

He walked close to the despised and rejected.

His eyes spoke love to those unloved.

Shudder did He not.

Scorn, a foreign word.

To the vile, He gave His attention.

Despite His appearance,

His demeanor undemanding,

Beauty He became.

Bringing majesty a new understanding.

What is it that causes

You to turn away?

Do you look closely?

Judging wholly?

Why don’t you stop

And turn His way.

For the man on the corner,

Lonely and searching.

The girl behind you,

Invisible and ignored.

The child beneath you,

Despised and forgotten.

You are these people.

The ones we turn from,

On whom no value is placed.

Yet He came,

Ignoring the dirt, our homeless souls.

He became nothing,

He became us,

Offering something for no return.

He brought life to our deadened world.

A treasure beyond imagining.

All we need

Is to stop and look.

To search Your face and find true beauty.

W.T.T.H- Dance of Life

W.T.T.H- Dance of Life

Shining down from the heavens above

the stars watch in silent awe.

The steady rhythm of the oceans wave singing a song of its own.

Up above the seagulls cry,

watching me with a spectator’s eye.

My heart soars upon the wind,

eager to escape.

The heartbeat of the earth slowly reaches my feet.

Stronger and stronger it grows,

its life consuming my soul.

Slowly at first,

but gathering speed,

my feet start to turn-

intertwining with creation's never ending rhythm.

Faster and faster I spin,

my hands uplifted towards the heavens.

A joyful song bursts forth, filling the night sky.

All around me the earth sings,

blending with my song.

The seagulls cry,

the waves are pounding.

Spotlights from heaven blend into one

as the sand records my every move.

For just a moment

my life is being lived the way it was meant.

I close my eyes

and listen to its voice.

It's sweet melody carries me onward

telling me to never stop moving.

A new sound pours in,

a voice mixing with my own.

I stop but a moment

before I am swept into a new motion.

His strong arms encircle my waist,

his hands upon my back.

Circling ever onwards

encompassed by his grasp.

Love comes forth

adding its peaceful harmony.

The first rays of sun dawn bright.

The light shining down upon the earth.

Beneath my feet

the sand tells of a story;

of how what started as one

turned into two.

Eternity reigned forth

bringing an end to the dance.

The waves strode forward

erasing the trace of our existence.

Yet the birds still cry

and the stars still shine,

waiting for someone to come along

and discover the dance of life.

Take It All Away

Take It All Away

         A sickening wave of nausea clutched my stomach. How could this happen again? Am I a curse? I stared at the lifeless body on the ground before me; a corpse lying in cold blood. All too familiar feelings rushed through me. Sadly, I felt used to it.

          Dead. So unexpected. It's as if someone was playing with me, merely humoring them self. What kind of a sick person would use death as an instrument of torture and see humor in it?

         Withdrawing from the world yet again, I pushed everything out. I closed my eyes, trying to evade the all-consuming darkness; but there was no escape, for it resided inside me. A breeze came in through the open window, bounding around the room. Stopping to pull at my hair, it too played with me. Was there no end? Little by little, I started to break apart. I was slipping. Hope, despair, feeling, it all crumbled to the floor. Forgetting to be mindful of my vanishing composure, the wind picked up the pieces, throwing them back into my face. From somewhere else, I watched helplessly as I began to whither away.

         Shadows lengthened, growing taller. Backing into a corner, I sunk down to the floor. I drew close everything that was left of me. Hugging my knees, I laid my head down atop of them. A single tear silently slithered down my face. Every part of me threatened to burst. Screaming filled my ears. And yet, nothing could be heard, for none could hear my soul. Hours came and went. Myself, slipping away with the pervasiveness of time.

         Something wasn't right. An electrifying ripple moved down my spine. Suddenly, a soft noise betrayed the surrounding silence. I wasn't alone. Standing up, I moved into the shadows. Moving towards the stairs, I listened for silence's intruder. Hatred was breathed in with every breathe. I had to get away. Whoever was there, whatever it was, did not wish to comfort me. For once, I was thankful for the darkness. Ignoring the eyes that seemed to stare at me from every direction, I made my way down the stairs. Once on the landing, I strained for some sign of my company's whereabouts. There, behind me. The back door was no longer an option; I went for the front. Reaching the door, my hand slowly crept towards the knob. Twisting it open, I stepped out into the night.

         Up above, eerie streaks of moonlight broke through the heavy clouds. The air was thick, electrifying. It smelled of rain. A growing rumble shook the earth. Louder than I wished, my feet padded across the cobblestone street. My only escape was to make it to the forest unnoticed. The wind started picking up as I slipped into an alley. Letting it carry me away, I felt forever lost in its twists and turns. A soft whoosh sounded behind me. I quickened my pace, fear coursing through my veins.

         There it was, the outskirts of the city. I halted for a moment, preparing to dash. This was my chance. As I stopped though, the wind too, died down. Everything was still, my heart pounding in my ears... or was that footsteps? 

         For a moment, I looked behind me. An earsplitting crack resounded in the air. Lightening filled the midnight sky. Two jet black figures were highlighted for but a second. Not again. Like springs, my legs bounded into motion. A second time, lightening seared across the gathered gloom. As if on cue, the clouds opened up their gates and down came the rain. Faster and faster I ran, paying no heed to the direction. I just ran. I ran from fear. I ran from life. I ran from everything within me.

         My legs ached. My lungs burned. On I went, willing my legs to keep moving. Away, I had to get away. But no matter how fast I ran, I couldn't seem to escape. Closing in, I felt my senses start to dull. Everything became a blur. Bearing down upon me, knives were pulled. My foot caught, landing me sprawled in the mud. Frozen, I could not move. Life fled from my lungs. Death was drawing near, and suddenly I was that forsaken corpse lying on the ground.

         There was nowhere to turn, nowhere to run. Fathomless black souls loomed over me, death reflected in their hands. I stared into the hollow depths of my captors. No life could be found.

          Not again. Never again.

         With one breathe left, I cried out. "Take it all away!"    

         Silence.

       Then, from up above, a blinding ray of light broke through the dark, reaching towards me. Its fingers, sure and steady, began cleansing sin's hideous black stain.   

 

 

         ~This story can portray one of two things: a person before they accept Christ into their lives, or someone who has, but has fallen away and turned their backs on Him. Either way, that person is no longer living. They're dead, forever haunted by sin and wickedness...which can be portrayed by the two black images. The body the person is staring at in the beginning is them self. The thing is, they don't realize that until the very end. With no hope left, they realize the One who can 'take it all away,' and that's what they truly desire; to be free from death's never ending cycle. On the verge of being lost forever, they cry out with all that they have left, asking the One to come and make them whole, to bring life to the lifeless, to save their soul.~

         The amazing thing is, is that He does.

        

         "For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." -Romans 10:9-10

         "And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we may also live new lives... Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also share His new life... Death no longer has power over Him. He died once to defeat sin, and now He lives for the glory of God. So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus." -Romans 6: 4b & 6-11

"Anyone who believes in Him will not be disappointed." -Rom. 10:11