Sep 24, 2013

Let Me Get Home Before Dark

It’s sundown, Lord.

The shadows of my life stretch back

into the dimness of the years long spent.

I fear not death, for that grim foe betrays himself at last,

thrusting me forever into life:



Life with You, unsoiled and free.

But I do fear.

I fear the Dark Spectre may come too soon

- or do I mean, too late?

That I should end before I finish or

finish, but not well.

That I should stain Your honor, shame Your name,

grieve Your loving heart.



Few, they tell me, finish well . . .

Lord, let me get home before dark.



The darkness of a spirit

grown mean and small,

fruit shriveled on the vine,

bitter to the taste of my companions,

burden to be borne by those brave few

who love me still.

No, Lord. Let the fruit grow lush and sweet,

A joy to all who taste;

Spirit-sign of God at work,

stronger, fuller, brighter at the end.

Lord, let me get home before dark.



The darkness of tattered gifts,

rust-locked, half-spent or ill-spent,

A life that once was used of God

now set aside.

Grief for glories gone or

Fretting for a task God never gave.

Mourning in the hollow chambers of memory,

Gazing on the faded banners of victories long gone.

Cannot I run well unto the end?

Lord, let me get home before dark.



The outer me decays -

I do not fret or ask reprieve.

The ebbing strength but weans me from mother earth

and grows me up for heaven.

I do not cling to shadows cast by immortality.

I do not patch the scaffold lent to build the real, eternal me.

I do not clutch about me my cocoon,

vainly struggling to hold hostage

a free spirit pressing to be born.



But will I reach the gate

in lingering pain, body distorted, grotesque?

Or will it be a mind

wandering untethered among light phantasies or grim terrors?



Of Your grace, Father, I humbly ask. . .

Let me get home before dark.

By Robertson McQuilken



2 comments:

  1. Sister, this is a beautiful expression of a woman who fears the Lord. I, too, pray that I won't stand ashamed before the Lord. I've just come back to your blog after quite awhile away, but what you write is of such value. I hope that you will continue to post ~smile~.

    P.S. I'm your newest follower, but used to follow as Mrs. T @ A Separate Path, which is no longer exists. I'm now at http://awordinseasontotheweary.blogspot.ca/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brenda your response is very much appreciated but it has prompted me to be sure to give credit where credit is due... It is NOT my poem but I love it because it expresses the heart of Christ and the very things He is doing in my heart. I will check out your blog. Thank you for your encouragement! I will edit the post and add the authors name!

    ReplyDelete

Blog Archive

About Me

My photo
WE HAVE THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS THAT THE EXCELLENCY OF THE POWER MAY BE OF GOD. I am the wife Of Don and mother of two boys and a stay at home mom. My goal is to follow Jesus in all aspects of life but starting first and foremost in my own home.Titus 2:3-5 I stumble often and get discouraged, but am amazed as I go to my Lord in faith that he looks upon me with compassion, forgiveness and love each and every time. His love for me seems to increase as I keep going back to His throne of grace!! Of course I know His love never changes, but my ability to see His love increases each time He picks me up, dusts me off and says "keep on going Ruth.... I love you!" And because of His great love, I am falling more and more in love with Him each and every day.