There are seasons of time when poems form in my mind and then there are seasons when poetry seems to remain silent. Last week’s and this week’s poems I have pulled from my archive of poems. As I read this one, I remembered that our life’s journey as Christians has it’s seasons as well. We have moments in which we are truly on the mountaintop of joy and we have moments when the struggles of life are lashing at our minds and bodies so as to try to steal our joy. Those seasons of struggle are also part of God’s Sovereign Plan of love. They are the times when we are drawn back in to focus on God—who He is and all of His promises to us. Those are the times we fall down before Him, wounded and weary—He restores us, wraps His arms around us and reminds us that we are His beloved, blessed and redeemed Child. The counterfeit joys we so often cling to may go up in flames before us. Hope, Joy, Love and Peace arises from their ashes as once more we realize—God is my Love, God is my Joy, and God is my hope. Always and Forever, I need to remember: God is My One Desire. I do not know where you, my friends are in this journey; but, I share this with each of you and hope it reminds you—that in Christ, you have all that you need to live a life of fearless faith and awestruck joy. He is all you really need.
My One Desire
By Effie Darlene Barba
In the midst of the darkest, lonely night
When all my world came tumbling down
Your ray of hope a glimmering light
Reached deep within my soul
To draw me nearer to thy cross
To gaze upon thy face of love
All else, this world I count as loss
Besides thee Lord, my one desire
Body worn from all the years
Of battles fought and battles lost
Despite the life so filled with tears
I find in you my peace, my joy
In Moments filled with guilt and shame
Your Love has held me tight
Never once to point in blame
You gave for me Your life
This world so filled with pain and fear
You are my only hope
I feel your heartbeat drawing near
Held tight within your arms
Your arms provide me strength and might
To face a brand new day
And cradle me through each dark night
With hymns of wondrous praise
As I gaze back o’er the years
With all their ups and downs
I see the laughter and the tears
That pointed me to You
I thank you Lord, Your guiding hand
Has lead me all the way
This life of mine as you had planned
On mountaintops and valleys deep
To draw me nearer to thy cross
To gaze upon thy face of love
All else, this world I count as loss
Besides thee Lord, my one desire
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.