Trials

I wrote this poem for a very dear friend. I hope it helps in some small way.

Trials

It's hard to understand right now

The trials that you face

You wonder what transpired

To lead you to this place

You ponder shoulds and might have beens

The what-if's and if-onlys

Sometimes surrounded by a crowd

You still feel awfully lonely

"I'm not sure if I can take this, Lord."

You say as you're down on your knees

"Please give me the courage and strength to go on."

You send up to Heaven your pleas

And then you hear a whisper

So gently it wisdom imparts

A tender and loving prompting

That speaks to your troubled heart

"My child, I'm right here beside you

I'll never leave you alone

I know your trials and struggles

I've taken them on as my own."

"The road ahead may be rocky

Filled with bumps along the way

But dearest child, I'm ever near

I hear you when you pray."

"I know the prayers that fill your heart

When it feels like you can't go on

My Comforter I'll send to you

He'll help you to hold on."

"I love you more than words can say

I ache each time you cry

My heart is overflowing

My Spirit ever nigh."

"This time will not last forever

Though right now that may not seem true

Still, in due time all will be well

'Til then I'll carry you."

As quickly as it came

The gentle whisper departs

Leaving in its place a sense

Of peace and calm in your heart

He wants to have you understand

You are loved beyond compare

A precious soul He did create

A Royal and Heavenly heir

So lean upon His promises

They'll help to see you through

Reach out to Him with prayer and hope

He's reaching out to you

Melinda Durrant - June 2011

The Struggle

It’s tough I know to grow up right now

There’s temptation everywhere you look

It seems so harmless and risk-free

You don’t realize that is the hook

That drags you under before you know-

You’re fighting for your life

It seems to hold you tight until

You’re filled with confusion and strife

You wonder if the choices you’ve made

Have any chance of being forgiven

You wonder if you have the strength

To change and keep striving for Heaven

The stumbling blocks in your path right now

Seem to rise up and bar your way

But, those stumbling blocks turn to stepping stones

When you take time to sincerely pray

There is no choice that you can make

That will ever lessen His love

He only seeks to lead you back

To your Heavenly home, above

So keep on trying to resist

The temptations that mark your road

Remember  our Father has promised you

That he’ll not give you too heavy a load

We all will fall, and fail, and sin

Mistakes are a part of the test

But repentance and forgiveness will

Help give us a hope for the best

So, if you try and if you fall

Don’t give up, just keep fighting on

Keep reaching for the Iron Rod

That will lead you safely on

Avoid the mists of darkness

That would tempt you to stray from the path

Don’t look at the spacious building

Where the wicked will mock and laugh

Instead let your hand firmly grasp

The Rod with all your might

Focus on the Eternal rewards

You will earn at the end of this fight

Think ahead to the future beyond what you see

Beyond the haze of the world as it is

Don’t let a few stolen moments of fleeting bliss

Threaten the joy of being eternally His

Sometimes it will be lonely

You’ll wonder if there is only you

But rest assured that there are more

Who are watching out for you

On Earth right now and beyond the Veil

There are people who really care

People who will try their best

To help you to make it There

There to your Heavenly Father

There with a family so dear

There where our own Elder Brother

Will greet us and beckon us near

This life is a test, and a tough one at that

So keep the Enemy far, far away

Seek only the ones who enlighten your life

Seek the ones who will help on the way

You are worth so much more than you may ever know

You are worth all He suffered for you

Your life is of value far greater than gold

Far greater – if you only knew

For you have a royal birthright

Given before your mortal life began

A noble and special calling

That will help fulfill His Plan

Don’t give it all up because you’re feeling some doubts

Do not let the Adversary succeed

Hold fast to the Truths you’ve been taught in your youth

Hold fast I most earnestly plead

 Call out to Him when you feel lost and afraid

When you feel that you’d like to give up

He’ll send the Comforter as a help

Who will lift and buoy you up.

 Spend time on your knees and in studying His words

Fill your mind with worthy things

And you will know the lasting joy

That a well-lived life will bring.

-Melinda Durrant

June 2011