The Courageous

How do I take courage

Face each day

With all these storms

Break the slaver’s chains

Courage is moving forward

Doing something

While others do nothing

Action over stillness

Outcomes unknown

But rewards assured

Tapped into your strength

A twig in your vine

Mysteries becoming less deep

As you reveal your heart

The blessings of friendship

And promises kept

We, your adopted children

Princesses and Princes are we

Called into your purposes

And you dress us for battle

Mercenaries we are not

But an army instead

Battles fought quietly

From our knees in prayer

Enemy brought low

In quiet acts of love

Selfless giving

From grateful hearts

Captives freed

The lost are found

Face to face

One relationship at a time

So I’ve thrown in my lot

Laid my sword at your feet

Accepted all you offer

And sworn my allegiance

The Sneak

It sneaks up from behind

Catches you unaware

Sometimes oblivious

You just don’t care

But when it catches you

When you’re caught in its wake

Fear rises from its slumber

And you tremble and shake

This is the moment

Is it fight or flight?

No time to think

Whether wrong or right

And so you act

Lean into the moment

Accept your vulnerability

And face the torment

And you may wonder

Who this monster might be

Of whom do I write?

And how come it frightens me?

Since you asked

With sincerity of heart

And in boldness too

I will answer for my part

This monster dwells

Not in the mountains

Nor in the deepest ocean

In its dark and unseen fountains

Instead it lives close by

Nearer than your dearest one

Leaps from the unlikeliest place

And from it we cannot run

Can you venture a guess?

Have I given no clue?

Are you ready to give in

Truly, have I stumped you?

Forgive me my vagueness

And my cryptic manner

I am nearer to my reveal

And to surrender’s banner

I speak of a monster

And for it I’m not to blame

It’s forced upon me by others

And its name my friend is “Shame”