the rain

I looked up and saw a shadow,
Dark clouds signalled the approach of rain,
The earth grew dark as the sun was lost from view.

I looked for shelter but nothing gave security,
So helpless as the first drops started to fall.
The rain beat down on my exposed form,
As the waters around began to rise.
I struggled against the mighty torrent of water,
Almost about to give up when ... He came,
Covering, sheltering me with His holy canopy ...
Until the rains were no more.

"Why?" I asked my Father.
"Why did You let me face the rain alone before intervening?
Why did I have to face the fear and uncertainty ... alone?"

Then He looked down and said,
"Look around you, what do you see?"

I looked ... and saw the flowers opening in the sunshine,
I saw the water fall from branches shaking off the drops in the gentle breeze.
I felt the fresh grass under my feet and the cool wind blowing,
I heard the birds singing and crickets calling,
as the lingering fragrance of nature surrounded me.

I looked around and saw ... life.

Now when storm clouds gather,
and I cannot see the sun,
I will not fear for I know my Father is here,
And because the rain makes things grow.

sč
KL, December 1996

orphans

I saw a frightened face today,
Alone, cowering in a corner.
Helpless and afraid,
Looking, longing for protection,
A kitten abandoned on the street.

Another frightened face today,
From another corner of the world
Images come to life on a screen.
Still, the same look in his eyes,
The fear, the uncertainty of being left behind.
In a country torn by war,
An orphan struggling to survive.

I walk outside and see them everywhere,
Each with their fears and loneliness,
O how well they hide it.
Not knowing the Saviour's love,
Longing for meaning in life.

What will it take for us to reach them?
What will it take for me to tell them?
There is one they can call 'Father',
Who loves without condition,
One who died to save me,
For I was once an orphan too.

sč
KL, 1996