(I wrote this piece a couple days ago while I was a counselor at a camp I have worked at for many years...that is primarily for the children of inmates. It's a Bible camp, and a wonderful place (sagradabiblecamp.org). But this piece started coming to me as I heard the stories of these children...terrible things (everyday life to them) and some of them are just eight or nine years old. Anyway, it's pretty much a poem, but kinda a rough cut one that's almost just rhythmic sort of speaking. But I just left it as it came...)
They’re children...
and your heart tells you
they should be full of innocence
but their eyes testify it’s not true
the burdens they carry
are greater than any
we ever bore at that age
the pains of the world,
the breaks, fears and terrors
have exposed these lives
to all of mankind’s errors
my heart cries for them
and longs to heal their pain
but the truth must sink in
once the damage-it remains
the scars are deep and sharp
and worn from time again
and in their minds
the memories are stark…
where do you begin?
but look deep into their souls
search close and you will see
there are sparks of light still left
so much that they could be
there’s hope, there’s a chance
don’t give up on them now
Christ’s arms are open
and He’s waiting patiently
He might use us for a mouthpiece
and place us where we should be
nothing in our own strength
will ever fix a thing
but the power of God behind us
is of an unstoppable King
He works in mighty ways
breaks their so many bars and chains
but even so He holds them gently
and softly calls their name
He takes away their pain
the raw and burning shame
the truth has shown the way
and light is pouring in
the broken, fragmented pieces
are reforged…
they’re made brand new
how can we sit by
and let minutes still tick on
when He’s ready to show His love
and chose to right their wrong
it’s so good, so pure and beautiful
a sight worth much to see
how His truth and gracious promise
has set these new lives free
They’re children...
and your heart tells you
they should be full of innocence
but their eyes testify it’s not true
the burdens they carry
are greater than any
we ever bore at that age
the pains of the world,
the breaks, fears and terrors
have exposed these lives
to all of mankind’s errors
my heart cries for them
and longs to heal their pain
but the truth must sink in
once the damage-it remains
the scars are deep and sharp
and worn from time again
and in their minds
the memories are stark…
where do you begin?
but look deep into their souls
search close and you will see
there are sparks of light still left
so much that they could be
there’s hope, there’s a chance
don’t give up on them now
Christ’s arms are open
and He’s waiting patiently
He might use us for a mouthpiece
and place us where we should be
nothing in our own strength
will ever fix a thing
but the power of God behind us
is of an unstoppable King
He works in mighty ways
breaks their so many bars and chains
but even so He holds them gently
and softly calls their name
He takes away their pain
the raw and burning shame
the truth has shown the way
and light is pouring in
the broken, fragmented pieces
are reforged…
they’re made brand new
how can we sit by
and let minutes still tick on
when He’s ready to show His love
and chose to right their wrong
it’s so good, so pure and beautiful
a sight worth much to see
how His truth and gracious promise
has set these new lives free
