A poem of gratitude #19:

The Rock
by Michael Romani

Steadfast in the rock that is my messiah
Sadly, I still fall victim to my worse desires
Like Peter, I know that I would have lied
If I falsely stated, Lord, you've never been denied

I have turned away but still sometimes I stray
The strength found in God seems to sometimes fadeaway
Walking me back to and from the temptation of sin
It's those times I know that I'm the weakest of men

Under the chill of a moonlight shadow
The wisdom of the olive tree started to show
There in my moments of sullen hesitation
Despite knowing the Lord's kingdom is my destination

As at the Garden of Gethsemane, I took my fall
The shadows of that night filled my hurting skull
Standing alone bordered on the edge of blasphemy
There where my angst and doubt got the best of me 

Staring right into the depths of my soul
I know that the Lord sees me when I lose control
Too often trying to save myself from blame
My pride gets in the way and I fall to shame

Broken of my confidence in my self-reliance
I suffer the blows to my faith and obedience
Forgetting the wholeness needed in sacrifice
As I forget my gratitude for the grace that suffices

My life turns toward its prayerful supplication
In living the steps that move beyond declaration
It was easy enough to surrender my possessions
But, not so very easy to give up on my obsessions

Like Peter, I find myself weeping bitterly
In knowing the choice between Christ or me
One or the other, I must not deny
Yet, I remain blessed by the odds I cannot defy

My heart knows this that I must faithfully embrace
Here in my waking moments felt in His grace
It's in this connection in and with Holy worship
That I at last am restored to my right relationship

(c) November 19, 2019  Michael Romani
All Rights Reserved