I Believe You

~~~~~~~~~~~

I Believe You

~~~~~~~~~~~

I don’t understand

It doesn’t make any sense

She was only sixteen

Her life was hardly spent

I asked

I pleaded

It appeared

You’d said, “Yes.”

Then suddenly when all seemed safe

She took her last breath

Tears

Anguish

Turmoil

Insurmountable grief!

Faith testing sobs convulsed me

But…

I still chose to believe

I believe that You love her

I believe that You care

I’ve chosen to trust that You heard me

No matter what!

I believe You were there.

Wendy/2012

Last Tuesday night, I could not settle under my blankets until I’d written this poem.  It is in memory of my niece who died, in her sleep, five years ago. November is the month that  I remember people’s deaths that I have grieved. As the coastal skies weep torrents of nature’s tears,  I am at peace.

After writing this poem, I fell straight to sleep.  “If counting sheep doesn’t help you fall sleep – then talk to the Good Shepherd.”

Peaceful Blessings ~ Wendy

PS – I don’t want to go into the why at this time, but I have attached an old post that explains why I believe we cannot judge where another person has gone when they have died.  We don’t know what conversation has taken place between them and God in their dying moments.  He does!  It’s not about earning Heaven – it’s about God’s grace.

http://wendylmacdonald.com/2012/07/04/on-either-side/

18 thoughts on “I Believe You

    1. Even as an imperfect parent, I can still say that I have always loved my children and always will. They may reject my love, some day, but I still love them. I would always welcome them home, but I can never drag them in the door. God, too, lets us have the choice to come home to him or not.
      Blessings ~ Wendy

  1. This is so wonderful, Wendy, on several levels. I’m sorry for the loss of your niece–and what lovely grace to be taken during sleep, that is certainly my prayer. You’re a gifted poet, talent and so much grace–thank you. God bless you–love, Caddo

    1. Thank you, Caddo. It seems like I need to write a poem for every significant life event, before I can truly lay it to rest. There is something so healing about it. I know that I benefit from reading poems by other people, too. (ie. Like you!)
      Blessings & hugs ~ Wendy

    1. Thank you, Ellen. I feel like that about birth, too. Both our entrance and exit of this present world are holy events. Although, our true beginning happens 40 weeks before birth.
      Blessings ~ Wendy

  2. How sad. Life brings so many challenges, doesn’t it? I’m glad that your writing is bringing you comfort, and ways to process your days. That is truly a gift…

    1. Life is definitely a classroom and one day we get let out for the perfect and forever summer vacation. Some days are good and some not so good…but “it is our reaction that blesses or burns – not what happens to us.”
      Blessings ~ Wendy

  3. This is a beautiful poem . . .and the photos just added all the more. I so appreciated what you said about how we really don’t know for sure when someone dies. I always am uncomfortable when someone asks me that after a family member passes away. Thank you so much! God bless you as you work through your grief in such a ministering way. hugs!

    1. Thank you for mentioning the uncomfortable question. I could write a long blog about that one… What happened with me is that someone assumed that I thought the worst. After years of prayers by me and my friends – how could I think the worst of someone that I loved? I believe He was there…
      Blessings, and thank you, Debbie.
      xo Wendy

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