encourageMEnt

Water.

I am under water.

Jesus says, "I am Living Water."

I say, "It feels a lot like drowning."

He smiles.

I think Jesus smiles when I say that to Him.

Making water leak out my eyes and nose while I tumble under the wave weight,

Trying to get to the surface so I can breathe while my heart pounds in my ears.

I fight panic wrestling with Living Water while trying to rest in Him at once.

My wits have gone and all that's left is this desperate desire to get my feet on solid Rock.

I am under Water.

Living Water.

He says, "Drink of Me..."

Drown.

And live,

Bernadette

COME HOME

When this upside down world shakes your heart stone cold,
And you lie shivering 'neath blankets of loss.

COME HOME.

When life cuts ribbons out of your heart,
And ties cruel knots in every good thing.

COME HOME.

When you don't know how to face tomorrow,
Because today spits in your face.

COME HOME.

When your feet have slipped away from the line,
While the world kicks you in the back of the knees.

COME HOME.



COME HOME.

When you long for a safe place to rest your head,
And the warm shelter of true love.

COME HOME.

When you remember Him, and all that is good in Him,
And that He is the only good thing about you.

COME HOME.

When you want to wear His yoke,
Because there is rest in His burden light.

COME HOME.

When you want your wounds to heal,
So you surrender to His.

COME HOME.

When you are through with this life,
But you want to live again.

COME HOME.

When you're on your face at the foot of the cross,
And you can't stop calling His Name.

COME HOME.

COME HOME, MY FRIEND, COME HOME.

When you fall in His arms,
And surrender your life, you'll know...

That He holds all that you are, loves all that you are
And that you are home...

HOME.

Sweet home, 

Bernadette

Leaf Me

Trembling leaf clinging to the wire fence.
I see my name etched in your gold veins.
The way your precarious perch has made you heart-shaped.
Your translucence can't but let the light shine through.
You are stretched from tip to stem-end.
Clinging for life, holding on by a bare curl.
And yet... 
The CROSS bars hold you, and you lie quivering in this bare trust.
Silly leaf.
Don't you know that the wind will come and blow you away from your wired perch?
Crazy leaf.
Don't you know that you're already dead?
Brave leaf,
     Wise leaf, 
          Wonderful leaf.
I think you must know that to die is to live.
And I see purpose in all that is desperate.
I understand now why you tremble at each blast of the wind.
He Who cut you heart-shaped is near.
And His breath will take you home. 


Bernadette