Trauma Headquarters and ADSG

Zecheriah 8

Lord,
We stand here before You, broken.
We can only offer you tear-stained hands to sing Your praise.
But You promise renewal, revival, healing.
You give us hope, where there is none,
   and in return you ask us to have strong hands,
  to stand for You, to not be afraid.

But I am afraid, LORD - of and for so many things.
We have faced the darkest days - and You are there.
We have been trampled and left alone - and You are there.
We have been humiliated, mocked, and made to think,
   that we were the ones with the problems,
       that right is wrong and wrong is right - and You are there.
We have responded in hurt, frustration, even anger at times.
We have acted from our own ideas and not Your's.
We have trusted in professionals and people who consistently let us down.
We have forgotten You.

Yet, I can rail at You, scream, and cry, and then in the silence,
  You are there.

I've gotta tell you, LORD,
  that this ministry You've placed in our hands,
 is hard; it's dirty; it's heartwrenching; and,
   for the most part, I don't like it at all.
I'm not cut out to be the parent of a mentally ill child...
   then again, who is?

But, You, LORD,
 have gone through much more, for us,
You know humiliation, weakness, and fear.
Yet, You never waivered -- and You forgive, me.
So help me, LORD,
   to love with Your love;
   to stand with Your strength;
   to move and speak with Your intentions;
   to be courageous,
    because YOU are the tapestry weaver,
and all You ask of me,
  is to weave the few meager threads,
    under Your guiding hands.

So I will stand.
I will strengthen my hands and work for Your glory.
I will not be afraid, for perfect love drives out all fear
  - and You are love.

So be it.  To YOU be the glory.
Amen

Anne,

That is wonderful and accurate and I appreciate you sharing it.

Sherrie

Amen.