FATHER'S HAND OF MERCY

' THE FATHER'S HAND OF MERCY '

Hoping to eliminate the sadness building in my heart,
I sought refuge where tears could flow freely.
Where sobs would not be heard.
Where my pain would be seen by no one
but our Father in Heaven.

Climbing into the steamy porcelain chamber.
I felt the hot water ease sore aching muscles.
But the hurting heart only grew more tender.
Spasms of sorrow washed over me in turbulant waves.
My sought for relief did not come.
Something I thought dead,
Something I thought Overcome,
Had only been hidden.
It reared its ugly head to remind me,
I had not escaped its angry clutches.
Attacking at every turn.
Seeking exposed flesh to sting
Was that despised Enemy...

REJECTION...

It had plagued me all my life.
Had followed me everywhere I went.
It seemed I could not escape its clutches.

" Oh, Father, I cried, Help me! Tell me what to do!"
Falling to my knees I beat the tiled walls
bruising my fists.
" Why was this happening AGAIN???", I cried.

At first, I asked God to take it away.
But then after some thought I said,
" No, Lord, take me through.
Take me through this Red Sea.
Do what YOU have to do."

There shivering on my knees.
The weeping continued till my head ached.
Till the water turned cold.
Till the Holy Spirit's tenderness broke thru the sorrow,
bringing comfort not understood by my mind.
Gratitude brought on a fresh wave of tears.
When I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to my quivering soul.

" You serve the Lamb slain on Calvary.
Keep your eyes on the Cross.
Look to the Tomb that is empty.
Death no longer life's cost.

For your Father extends to you Mercy.
Your Father who sent His OWN Son.
Your Father whose Hands did create you.
You need no longer fear loss.
NOW is the time to OVERCOME."

Comfort became Peace.
A new song erupted from my lips.
A bubbling song that cleansed, refreshed.
AGAIN, I asked,
" Lord, what would You have me do?
How would You have me face this trial?"

AGAIN,I heard His tender words.

" You serve the Lamb slain on Calvary.
Keep your eyes on the Cross.
Look to the tomb that is empty.
Death no longer life's cost.
For your Father extends to you Mercy.
Your Father who sent His OWN Son.
Your Father whose hands did create you.
You need no longer fear loss.
NOW... is the time... to OVERCOME."

BY
Roberta Rogers Wilcox
@2001

It is NOT important what the burden was that I faced. What IS important is that we ALL have trials we MUST Overcome. It CAN be a steady uphill climb. We learn and stretch and grow in the valley. When we reach the mountaintop...it is temporary... We cannot just stay in the state of joy and bliss... It gives me a headache to be there for very long anyway.

We all like to reach the top but in the valley... Ah! In the valley is where I hear the Lord's voice and feel His nudge the strongest. I always know that the time in the valley is for just a season. IF I grow stronger. Let my roots be driven deeper and don't wail too loud while I am being pruned....It can be a sweet time spent with Him in The Garden. So no matter what your private struggles are.... here is THE ANSWER to Conquering and Overcoming them.

" You serve the Lamb slain on Calvary.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE CROSS.
Look to the tomb that is empty.
Death no longer life's cost.
For your Father extends to you Mercy.
Your Father who sent His OWN Son.
Your Father whose hands did create you.
You need no longer fear loss.
NOW... is the time... to OVERCOME."

May The LORD Bless YOU!!
Roberta