paint me a song.
a dozen crayons and
a sky to color.
the choir takes shape.
music lifts us above
the armies of darkness.
the ice of our hardened
hearts begins to melt.
melts our rage and compromise
and all the holes we can't
seem to crawl out of. don't
even know how we fell in.
despair, addictions. crippling
depression.
"there is no testimony
without a test." james 1
we had a ladies' function
at church on a saturday
morning. for me, every
new neighbor opens the door to
a bag of pastries in my arms.
i help in anyway i can.
but i just didn't remember to
invite the single mom
above me -
my friend, judy, had a neighbor
coming. changing her world.
it stopped me in my tracks.
what about the single mom
upstairs?
i was SCARED! yes!
i was. i can, and do, talk to
anyone about Jesus, but it was
8 p.m. the night before.
run, ann, before fear catches
you. let redemption have a chance.
to sing its song, and dance the rhythm
of love.
mary was dressing for a date.
not this time. downhearted?
NO!! i had done my part, and will
continue building bridges instead
of walls to her.
do you have days
when you feel you don't count?
where is life taking you? does
God REALLY care?!
really have a plan for YOU?
suddenly
i'm coloring the sky
black. i don't like how
i'm feeling. oh, i want to
be PURE for Jesus. but
the angels are gone.
the music flat.
the air heavy.
how can Jesus use such
a flawed human like me?
well,
i got the helmut.
grabbed the shield.
strapped on the breast-
plate of righteousness.
okay, warriors.
we are in battle.
i have your back.
hope you have mine.
i ran 12 miles for you
today. stay tough.
we will not be deterred
from loving the world to
Jesus. glorious Savior
i hear a thread of music.
the sky begins to warm.
the angels are tuning voices
for the next song.
never ever ever give up.
victory is ours.
hallelujah. hallelujah.
amen.
all images used by permission
copyright 2009 judy silverstein