They're Children...

(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 great 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