Instead

So many ashes

dust in my shackled hands

Stick in my throat

As I breath in this barren land

I’m a prisoner of grief

Weighted down with deep regret

Blinded eyes shut tight

Still the tears run wet

Deep in this cave

Straining ears catch no sound

Am I deaf as well?

Or too far underground?

This current condition

Mocks the ultimate price

The Lover of my Soul

Paid with His life

How quickly I fell

Into this snare of lies

One small adversity

Ripped eternity from my eyes

Do these current events

Delete my inheritance?

I can’t see God or hear Him

But I have a remembrance...

Words, words of life

Buried deep in my soul

Like seeds begin to sprout

Like seeds of gold

“Instead,” is whispered

“Instead of fainting, praise

Instead of ashes, a garland

A double portion instead of shame”

Truth breaks off

Every fetter on my soul

Gladness, like oil,

Covers me head to toe

I am the Beloved

Delivered and free!

No circumstance can change

My identity