Ruth Bell Graham Collected Poems, page 154

Manicured, styled,
expensively suited,
they stood
and they smiled
as if programmed, computed
by specialist fed;
yet I knew within each
beat a heart living-dead.
The smiles were a mask;
the lifestyles they led
at beast a brave showing,
pretending, not being,
while You Who created
are God, the Allknowing,
are God, the Allseeing.

Lord, we cannot see
as You see above,
behind and within.
We can only love.
—Ruth Bell Graham

Ruth Bell Graham Collected Poems - Footprints of a Pilgrim

the load that lay like lead

The load 
that lay
like lead
lifted:
instead:
peace.
The dread
that hung
fogthick, gray,
faded away;
and with release,
day.
The trial
the same...
unsolved,
but this:
now
it is
His.
-Ruth Bell Graham

take my life

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing,
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
-Frances Ridley Havergal

I read this poem years ago, before I even knew it was a hymm. It has since been my prayer and encouragement.

Raindrops Crying For Me

Poetry has always been an outlet for me, though most of the time, the only source of venting. I found that through poetry I didn’t have to play masquerade. Growing up I struggled with anxiety, control, neglect, loneliness and a deep feeling of unworthiness. Often times I found myself unable to cry just drained. It was in the secret chamber of a journal and a pen that found courage to share all that was within me. Many times I would write and toss away my poetry out of fear of being exposed for what I felt and who I was- a depressed and angry individual. Today I stand in awe of all that God has done for me. I have peace which surpasses all understanding and joy unending. And true that I struggle to maintain that peace and joy, but God is faithful to strengthen me with boldness and courage so that I can embrace His sweet liberty.

I have never really shared much of my early poetry, because I felt that in sharing those dark writings, that I in a way would have watered down what Christ has done for me. I have recently begun to accept, that while I don’t share who I was, the power of Christ which set me free cannot be seen. I pray that as you continue reading, you would be encouraged to share your story of redemption. I also pray, that if you are caught in the same prison that I was in at the time in my life when I wrote this that you would cry out to God. After reading these poems I will include a part of scripture that has helped me countless of times as I am found in the valley of the shadows of death. As I shared with someone today, may you find peace in His presence and joy in the promises of His Word.

Raindrops fall down my cheeks
Crying for my eyes
My distended heart has no more sorrow
No more breathing space for happiness
It has all been taken up in vain
Life lessons uncalled for
Too many to count
Cloudy smiles and sunny frowns
Never found but both so real
Hidden corners and windows shut
Impossible it seems
Lonely with my pain
Being only me
No shadow following
In ran away you see
Raindrops fall down my cheeks
Crying for my eyes.

Another one I wrote in continuation to Raindrops Crying For Me:

Far way from here
Imprisoned in my mind
Alone without a shadow
As a fool I want to die
Provoked into a cyclone of fury
Like cold rain my tears just fall
Imagining your voice
I yearn to bask on fire
I daze into my hatred
Oh soliltude
Set me free.

Isaiah 26:3-4, "You [God] will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock."

Psalm 45:1

Beautiful words stir my heart. 

I will recite a lovely poem about the king,

for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.

Psalm 45:1

   

 

You are the river,

That purifies and cleanses me.

Your Spirit calms

The storm in me.

Your commands are

Melodies that provoke

My soul, my will, my all

To Surrender.

Like the wind,

You offer me breath.

You are a shattered rock,

Through the cracks

flow sacred blood

Giving me life.

Your shadow alone

Would be a save haven for me.

He Sings Over Me

From my journal...

Oh your wondrous Love

Your life layed down on Calvary.

Everlasting Love

Washed away

My stain, my sin.

Unfailing Love,

Pure, true and unchainging.

Everlasting Love

It is thy voice

That sings over me.

Oh how I hunger,

How I thirst

To hold Your hand

on Glory's throne.

Precious Lord

Dear Majesty

Draw me in, draw me close

Draw me with

Your tender words.

Cause me to be blind

To this world

So that Your ways, Your will, Your face

Is all that I may know.

At last, I know your love

I feel your grace,

Oh the warmth of your embrace.

I've been set free, sweet liberty.

Sanctified to be like Thee

Oh sweet Jesus

Reign over me.

Everlasting Lord,

My heart is captivated.

I am hidden in your arms, in your words

As You sing over me.

Photos by:Kristybee