FEELING BETRAYED

I'm torn apart, so full of pain
Its arrows shatter all my dreams
My heart is filled with bitter shame
I feel betrayed while given blame.

The anger that disturbs my rest
Has made all trust a distant friend
And like a ship that's lost at sea
Its waves are crashing down on me.

Why did this jagged cross appear
Inflicting so much pain and tears?
Is this the price that I must pay
For following Jesus every day?

Tis then I hear the Shepherd's voice
While clinging to His nail-scared hands
"It is My cross you're called to bear
It is My love you're called to share."

So from the ashes of my grief
The Potter forms a vessel rare
And yielding to His will I find
The Treasure that He has in mind.
--B. Pent

FEELING PAIN

The scent of roses filled the air
It bid me come its fragrance smell
Yet there were thorns that spoke of pain
While taking hold its jagged main.

Twas then I thought of my distress
Of broken dreams and loneliness
The heavy cross I had to bear
With little hope someone would care.

I didn't know why this crushing blow
Became my special guest below
This cup of grief I did not ask
As God's appointment for my task.

But then, a crown of thorns appeared
With visions of His pain to show
That by the crushing on His cross
His stripes and wounds would heal the lost.

So then I bowed in grateful praise
That through my crucible of pain
The sweet aroma from above
Can help those hurting find God's love.
--B. Pent