THE TRAIL

 

This trail I chose to follow

Is so much steeper than I knew

At first the climb was pleasant

But now darkness dims my view

 

 

I thought this trail would allow me

To see from a magnificent height

But moving my feet now is a struggle

Requiring all my might

 

 

Storm clouds came upon me suddenly

Threatening to destroy my way

Lightning strikes and thunder claps

Caused my faith to fray

 

 

All I can see now is the storm 

I’ve lost sight of my once clear peak

I huddle in the drenching rain

Hopes of success now seem so bleak

 

 

All alone on the trail now

Exposed to the element’s attack 

I seem so vulnerable to pain and fear

The raging storm is so black

 

 

I’m helpless to withstand the wrath

Of nature’s powerful hand

I wonder if I’ll survive this hike

On that lofty peak, will I ever stand

 

 

The storm rages on seemingly forever

With never a glimpse of retreat

I hold on with all my might

So little now seems sweet

 

 

I ponder why I chose this way

Why do I feel so trapped by my choice

Why does this constant thunder 

Drown out my feeble voice

 

 

Each day I continue to battle

To keep alive the slimmest hope

Each day I force myself forward

But each day it’s harder to cope

 

 

The excruciating climb has weakened me

It’s taken a terrible toll on my breath

The fierceness of the raging storm 

Urges me to claim the peace of death

 

 

But I refuse to yield

Despite how hopeless it appears

Until one day after I’m almost spent

A tiny ray of sunlight mitigates my fears

 

 

I look upward to that single ray of light

I can hardly believe what I see

The light somehow cuts through the darkness

And I know it was meant for me

 

 

Tiny grains of faith fall softly

Like leaves falling on a windless day

They find their way into my heart

And I yearn for them to stay

 

 

It’s small but real

This newfound faith of mine

It stirs memories in my heart

Sweet memories of the divine

 

 

I think upon another One

Who alone withstood the storm 

Who paid an infinite price

To offer me merciful reform

 

 

For Him there was no rescue

No loving Father to quiet His aching heart

Until at last His holy offering

Paid the price for every part

 

 

My trials are washed away

In the crucible of His sacred gift

His ordeal completed on the cross

His pierced hands, offered now to lift

 

 

To one day wash away

All the stain of mortal life

To dry the tears off every face

To heal the wounds of every strife

 

 

Though still faced with trial

The end of my trail unknown

I resolve to place my trust in Him

In the One who offered to atone

 

 

In the One whose love for me 

Is expressed from eternal height

A height I have yet to reach

A fact that limits my sight

 

 

Perhaps the choice of trail

Was not entirely my own

Perhaps it was designed for me

To lead me to a throne

 

I wrote this for a dear friend whose life has taken a torturous turn