storm swept in and blew out my plan

extinguished life as I knew it

not looking up, face to the ground

armor off, an easy target

stumbling and disoriented

I fell under Satan’s armpit

don’t really know how I got there

on the other side of that moat

my senses dulled and nearly blind

was that a mirror or a goat?

desire invited me to stay

although the sign said I could go

lost in a blur disguised as light

somehow I thought I must submit

although I remember asking

“Jesus, why am I doing this?”

but how could I ask to come back?

my heart was tarnished and unfit

nothing left but paper and ink

so I picked up my pen and wrote

things I had done blackened the page

like a tattooed chain on my throat

ugly truths, hardcore confessions

my heart was stained with creosote

far gone or not, I must be cleansed

from stench left from this murky pit

I slumped down on my knees and prayed

cried out to the Holy Spirit

an eagle flew down to rescue

and carried me home on his wings

Jesus plucked me out of the storm

out of breath, I had nearly choked

he had swept down in and saved me

I looked down from the sky and broke

flames had been quickly rolling in

I would have died from flames and smoke

storm swept in and blew out my plan

failed to look up like I once did

lost, I took my own direction

my walk with Jesus took a hit

yet when I cried out he was there

right when I was ready to quit

the pain that threw me off my course

he always had the antidote

he massaged my heart and healed me

forgave and cleansed me white as snow

such testimony is my life

that Jesus let me re-devote

I felt led to write of his grace

and I barely had time to sit

his truths flowed from pen to paper

through my hand words came from God’s lips

words that couldn’t have come from me

hand guided by his fingertips

he said he was waiting for me

he loved me when I was his foe

make me a reflection of you!

guide me to continue to grow

teach me to learn to love like you

this love I want the world to know !

Cindy Hammond

2 Corinthians 11:14

Matthew 25:31-36

Mark 13:11

Exodus 19:4

Psalm 83:21-25