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

Homecoming

Homecoming


You left
And when you left
I wondered – why?
Why me?
Why now?
Why, when I need you so much are you gone?

I wondered – how?
How could this happen?
How can I let go?
How can I go on?

And then I heard
Or maybe felt
A quiet voice saying,
“My daughter,
I am happy here.
I am doing the Lord’s work.
Don’t sorrow!
Rejoice for my happiness.

Oh, daughter
If only…
If only I could lift the veil and show you –
Show you life’s purposes,
Show you how short this minute of life really is
You would not sorrow then
You would rejoice
We will meet again my precious daughter
And then there shall be joy!”

Softly and gently,
Another voice whispered,
“Oh my dear child
I know your loss is great


Remember – my Son died also
But He died to gain life
Eternal Life
I wish I could show you all
But this life is a great test
If I told you
You would not learn and grow

Remember also –
I will not try you beyond your means
Smile my child and go on, ever higher
On to perfection
You will meet again!”

Now,
No longer do I ponder the
How’s?
And the
Why’s? –
But what He would have me do
Here and now
Progress is slow
Slow and sometimes hard
But the final result is worth the fight

So,
I’ll rejoice for you
Rejoice for your happiness
Though at first it may seem impossible
I’ll do what I must and someday
Someday!
I’ll be back
Prepare my mansion, Father –
I’m coming Home!

- Melinda L. Durrant

Dawn

Dawn
(Original)

At night when darkness falls
And shadows seem so near
Reach upward to the Heavens
To One who’s always near

He knows your hopes, your fears, your dreams
He knows the pain you bear
He wants you to reach out to Him
Look up, He’s always there

He’ll hold you when you tremble
Send His angels ‘round about
To buoy you up and help you
Of His love there is no doubt

He mourns with every loss you feel
Weeps each time you cry
As He holds and hears and loves
His Comforter is nearby

Each night the darkness fades away
Into a new tomorrow
Each dawn becomes a brand new day
Bringing hope instead of sorrow

Hold close to those who love you
Cling to them with all your might
These family ties that bind us
Help us upward to His light

For families are Eternal
Joined with sacred ties that seal
Generation to generation
In a never ending wheel

- Melinda L. Durrant

Angel Children

Angel Children

Precious souls from our Father in Heaven
Touched our hearts and then quickly moved on

Here but an instant and then to Eternity
Special angels from our lives have gone

Perfect and pure they return to that Home
Where close to Christ’s bosom they’ll stay


Unbidden tears softly fall to our cheeks
As for guidance and comfort we pray

Cradled in Heavenly arms they are resting
Awaiting a day filled with comfort and peace

When you with your children, again reunited
Feel a Heavenly joy that won’t cease


-Melinda L. Durrant

To a Friend Who Grieves

To a Friend Who Grieves
(Original)

I cannot claim to understand
The pain you’re going through
I know that we are left sometimes
Not knowing what to do

I cannot heal your pain
I’d never even try
But there’s a waiting shoulder
If you ever need to cry

You lost a precious spirit
With destiny untold
A tender angel spirit
Whose hand you long to hold

This spirit touched your life
For such a short, short time
Yet filled your heart with wonder
Of the mountains it would climb

Now this special soul
Has returned to Home above
Gazing down on you
And sending you such love

“My time’s not yet,” it whispers,
“And it may take awhile
But someday, sooner than you think
I’ll greet you with a smile

“It will not be right now
It may be far away
But in your heart I know
That I’ll forever stay

“I am a special angel child
Not destined for this Earth
But, Mom, I hope you understand
What all this pain is worth

“For Families are Eternal
And love forever shines
And giving life to children
Is a calling that’s Divine

“So, thank you for the chance
To share my life with you
I know I didn’t stay too long
For now, my mission’s through.”

I hope these words, though simple
Give comfort, love, and peace
As heartache, pain, and sorrow
In time begin to cease

You are His precious daughter
I know He aches for you
And with His loving guidance
He will help you through.

- Melinda L. Durrant

To a Friend Who Grieves

To a Friend Who Grieves
(Modified)

I cannot claim to understand
The pain you’re going through
I know that we are left sometimes
Not knowing what to do

I cannot heal your pain
I’d never even try
But there’s a waiting shoulder
If you ever need to cry

You lost a precious spirit
With destiny untold
A tender angel spirit
Whose hand you long to hold

This spirit touched your life
For such a short, short time
Yet filled your heart with wonder
Of mountains it would climb

Now this special soul
Has returned to Home above
Gazing down on you
And sending you such love

“My time’s not yet,” it whispers
“And it may take awhile
But someday, sooner than you think
I’ll greet you with a smile

It will not be right now
It may be far away
But in your heart I know
That I’ll forever stay

I am a special angel child
Not destined for this Earth
But, Mom and Dad, I hope you understand
What all this pain is worth

For Families are Eternal
And love forever shines
And giving life to children
Is a calling that’s Divine

So, thank you for the chance
To share my life with you
I know I didn’t stay too long
For now, my mission’s through.”

I hope these words, though simple
Give comfort, love, and peace
As heartache, pain, and sorrow
In time begin to cease

You are His precious children
I know He aches for you
And with His loving guidance
He will help you through.


-Melinda L. Durrant