A Sad Place to Visit, and I Wouldn’t Want to Live There

A wayward life, a ghastly past,

Sin in my heart, a life-long mask.

Stealing, lying, raping and killing,

All mournful deeds, wrenching and chilling.

 

Loss of a child, ripped from a heart,

Broken marriage, torn apart.

Abuse of a child, or partner or friend,

Fractured hearts, impossible to mend.

 

Now comes the Savior, He for to heal

Miracles flow, hearts to seal

With His blood cleansing, claiming His own

Gathering His children, bringing them home.

 

Caring and soothing, shaping and mending,

New place to live, no more pretending

To live in fear or doubt or unease;

Basking in joy and love and peace.

 

But what of those memories, those dark inner thoughts,

That keep intruding and cause such knots

Of turmoil and sadness and regrets of things past –

What to do with those burdens held fast?

 

Lay aside every weight, and the sin which ensnares,

Casting all care upon Him; because for you He cares.

Turn your mourning into dancing, praise Him always,

Obey Him unto the end of your days.

 

And of those dark recesses, those past mournful times,

Visit them sometimes, and use the eyes

That God has given, for you to perceive

That all things work for Him, to those who believe.

 

Use God’s perspective to view these past wrongs;

Turn your mournings into new songs.

There is now therefore no condemnation

Dance with His saints in communal celebration.