The Heaviest Burden

 My body shakes from the abuse it's carried; 

Secret sins church leaders buried. 

Over ten years ago; why does it matter? 

Because in that moment my world was shattered.

The burden of forgiveness on victims' shoulders; 

What consequence for a man much older?

Guards at the door, but the devil's inside

The very shelter where his victims hide. 

Does God hear my prayers when His people don't? 

When I leave my church because abusers won't? 

Maybe, I'm told, this will make you stronger;

Maybe you can protect your daughter. 

I've tried so hard to get back on my feet,

But where I least expected, the cycle repeats. 

Abusers sleep easy while victims can't rest; 

God, keep us safe in this life like you will in the next.

Every Day Little Joys

 Feels like there's secret language

That's spoken just by us

Written in things that once scared me

Like I Love Yous and a hug.

You scaled all the walls

That I was putting up

When I thought the only real feelings 

Were the hurtful, heavy ones;

You saw more than just a nice girl

Or someone who annoyed,

And now even on our worst days

There are 

Every Day

Little Joys.

I make you feel important,

You make me feel like I'm enough,

Like I'm not just a burden,

Like I never was.

My heart used to be so fragile

You had to handle it with gloves;

You made me realize I'm stronger

Than I thought I was.

All the things I used to bottle up

Because I thought they'd just annoy

Are now just a few

Of our 

Every Day 

Little Joys.

J668

 Can you write yourself a world to escape to

Where people laugh at your jokes instead of at you?

Where the people who say they know your father 

Can see you for more than just his daughter,

And even when you don't make them proud,

They love you out loud?

Can you find yourself a heart you belong to,

Where you finally feel like someone to look up to?

Where people talk to you instead of just about you,

And they think the things you say carry value;

Where people's words don't make you feel small,

Or wonder if you're lovable at all.

Can healing come from any change you make,

Or is Peace found in the One Who doesn't change?

Human hearts are always going to break,

But the Light shines through the cracks your sorrow made.

The only change worth hoping for is found 

In scarlet on His hands and side and crown.