Author’s Note: I’ve followed the YLCF blog for some time now and have often been encouraged and edified by its content. It was an awful blow to hear of Natalie’s divorce when I did, partly because I only learned of it while going through a very painful time in my own family (one of my siblings was severely ill, but has now recovered–I am very thankful for that!). It was heartbreak on heartbreak, since I’ve grown to love the ladies of YLCF from afar. Suffering can bring blessings, too, though, and here is the poem I wrote in the midst of it all. I hope it blesses you!
Written & Copyright 2008 by Mary Hackett
My heart broke today.
I did the things I should.
I thought that things should stay
The way I called them good.
But God has other plans
They’re hard to comprehend—
My own ideas sans
For His count in the end.
And at this point I felt
The tears that stung and burnt
My life again to melt
In light of lessons learnt.
Is this the only way?
Must knowledge come with pain?
On altar bitters lay
To grow, to live, to gain?
Must life just spring from death?
Is there no sweet recourse—
Is only sorrow’s breath
The way to living force?
My back is sore and bent
My soul has shriveled dry,
My reason from me sent
My heart can only cry
“Oh God must I be slain?
Why cause me such a loss?
Oh please! Your Hand refrain
And put away this cross.”
He presses me to dust
Refines me in His fire
His answer, “Child, you must,
To win your heart’s desire.
You will not always die
Your heart will grow once more
The ways to glory lie
Through suffering’s open door.
Remember that your path
Is one that I have trod.
And in the aftermath
You’ll see your mighty God.”
So through the pain I press
My broken heart I give
My own self grow the less
That I the more may live.
And somehow there’s a goal
That God will not now tell,
This stretching of my soul
In spite of all—is well.
7 Comments
Thank you so much for posting this! The hymn, “It is Well with my Soul” comes to mind after reading this wonderful poem! I think that, anyone, who has or is gone/going through any kind of suffering can relate to this at some point or another.
YLCF means so much to me as well. I’ve been reading it for…almost three years now and have never ceased to be encouraged and edified.
Lovely–I’m so glad YLCF encourages creative writing!
If I could ask for your prayers–I’m almost 6 months pregnant, and I took a tumble while rushing downstairs yesterday and landed on my tailbone. Baby’s fine, thanks be to God, but I’m in quite a bit of pain.
Thanks,
L
Mary, thank you so much for the beautiful and poignant poem.
I too heard about Natalie during a rough time in my own life… a young acquaintance of mine died in a tragic accident. And it seems that many girls I know or know of have suffered deeply in some way these past few months. It amazes me how God’s grace enables us to carry on even when we’ve been torn apart.
Christ’s little girls have been hurting this year, but He carries us through it. I know He loves us and cares about our suffering, because He suffered beyond everything else for us.
And what you have said in your poem is so true: in our suffering we are united with His, and in His suffering we see the hope of His Resurrection.
What a lovely poem!! How true it is!
A.M.E.N.! Thank you for sharing. I though of “It is Well” when I read your last line. That song – “It is Well ” – has struck me in the strangest times. Normally, on a day when something has gone wrong, or sadness threatens, we’ll end up singing it at church. Suddenly, I’m brought to realize [again] that with God at the helm of the ship, all is well. The storm can rage, but He will hold me. I, too, was very sad when I heard about Natalie’s divorce – what a trial! But, as you said, suffering gives way to glory.
God is not most glorified, I don’t think, when all is well in our lives, and we’re floating along. I believe that He is most glorified when we are weak, when we’re losing the battle, then we fling all ourselves onto Him, and say, “It is well, You take control”. Sadly, I haven’t always done that – too many times, I’ve yanked the wheel for myself, thinking that I knew my way better than He. What a mistake!
Though tempests roll, He has taught me to say that it is well, for He is God.
beautiful poem. thanks you so much for sharing it.
I agree with all of you, this is a truly a beautiful poem and has been a blessing to me from you dear sister Mary..thank you so much for such a conscise and beautiful poem..i too felt so horrible for dear Natalie..my life was not so hard this year but i could relate especially these last 2 months as i felt so tempted by a certain man who was a good friend to me..it was not his doing, but satan’s..i fled from temptation towards God and he helped me, by asking me to deal with this head on, i talked both to this gentleman and to his girlfriend, and they both gave me love and understanding..what a wonderful Christian community i live in, i thank God for them each day..so i know what suffering can be about, so i can relate thank you for this timely and beautiful poem Mary.
And Lara hun i’ll keep you in prayer definitely for your physical pain to cease and for God to give you comfort in this time, and YES it’s such good news that the baby is ok..That’s a blessing from God my dear..i’ll keep you in my prayers.
Ok enough rambling for the day..sorry this was so long girls!
Take care Mary and blessings to all the writers here–contributers and posters =))
Talk soon!
To God be all glory!
In Him, Jane.