This is a post that I shared on FB a week ago so this isn’t really an “article” like I typically share that ends up in the Wayne Weekly; Monticello’s local newspaper… (that is a big paper that comes in your mailbox or you can buy one at certain places throughout town 🙂 that has news, happenings, police reports, ads, and some columns one of which is mine which again this is how this blog started. I had started writing for The Outlook in 1999 up until it closed down and that is when I started this blog re-writing some of my original columns from “back in the day.” Though in the past year most of what I put on the blog are the current columns I write.
I shared on my FB page last week that we had visited another church for the night service and from someone getting up to share a testimony, then singing, and then preaching I had something happen that had never really happen before. I have had times in the past where I will get a thought in my mind and I know if I don’t write it down I will lose it. Those thoughts if jotted down and expanded on will turn into a poem. As I was sitting in church and listening and trying to be attentive I began having thoughts and phrases “swirl” in my mind. I got out my small notebook I keep in my Bible and began jotting down phrases. Throughout most of the entire service I was thinking and writing from the things that had been said, sung, or preached. I would write a line and a thought would come to me and I may skip a few lines and then go back and add in another line. Some lines came before the others even though it ended up the way it will be shared here.
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I took off from God when He was chasing me. Running through places so bad I couldn’t see. I thought I had the enemy under my feet. Though I was bound by his lies in defeat. Then I cried out waving my white flag in surrender. Knowing my past will only encourage and not hinder. Now I am running the opposite way. Seeking the presence of God being transformed each new day. There were times I’ve never felt loved and continued to run. Living my life in a state of rebellion. Conducting myself in the lusts of the flesh. Dreading each new day to start afresh. Living in pain straight to the heart. Coming to my senses I knew I needed a new start. Learning to keep my thoughts captive. Once His Spirit came into me to live. It’s all about love and His riches in mercy. Made alive in His grace to help me see. The pain was so great I tried to stay numb. The hurt of life strengthened my run. I used to be a runner. But since I waved my white flag I’m now an over-comer.
written 5/12/24 ~TRS
Rays of Hope 