Once upon a time
I used to think I had some answers
That was before I knew the Answer had me
I used to know all ten commandments
That was before You showed me
I didn’t even know the first one
I used to think others had mapped it all out for me
That was before You led me
Into unchartered landscapes
I used to sit at their feet absorbing every sentence
That was before I learned
Their feet were no cleaner than mine
I used to go with the crowd to the house of the Lord
That was before I understood
I am the house of the Lord
I used to play the game, jump the hoops, follow the rules
That was before I discovered
The game never ends and the rules always change
I used to crave mens’ approval
That was before I knew
What it is to have Yours
I used to have my plan
That was before You upset it
I used to be a people pleaser
That was before I understood I please You
I used to think I had life figured out
That was before Life figured me out
I used to think I loved God
That was before I learned it’s God that loves me
I used to work hard at becoming righteous
That was before You rained on my scoreboard
I used to think it would be cool to be a leader
That was before I knew the cost of servanthood
I used to think I had all bases covered
That was before You invited me to Your Cross
I used to look for miracles
That was before You made me the miracle
I used to run and hide
That was before You taught me how to fly
I used to believe I was free
That was before You laughed in the face of my jailer
And threw away his keys
I used to be afraid
That was before You showed me my grave
And met me inside
I used to knock sheepishly on the door
That was before we ran boldly into Abba’s arms
Together
Once upon a time
I used to stand looking at Your empty tomb from a distance
That was before I heard the Spirit shout:
“He lives, and nothing will ever be the same!”
That was before, like John, I ran helter skelter to see for myself
Like Mary, I fell at Rabboni’s feet
Like Thomas, I touched the scars and cried out:
“My Lord and My God!”
Once upon a time
I used to paddle in the stream
That was before You made me a deep sea diver
©Cheryl McGrath, Bread for the Bride, 2012
Pingback: Once Upon A Time – Cheryl McGrath | LTM Blog
Thanks for stopping by Cathy
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Awesomely put!!!!!
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excellent! what an amazing Father we have!
Even my repentance is because He does the work within. Just beautiful, completely complete.
Hannah
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Thanks for stopping by nanahannah!
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I hear you.
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Thanks Charis. It’s nice to be heard.
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Right on!
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Thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment!
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love your work Cheryl, wish I could write poetry!! cheers Graeme
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LOL, and I wish I could sing 🙂
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