~A Poem of God's Grace~

I did not know His love before
the way I know it now
I could not see my need for Him
my pride would not allow

I had it all, without a care
the "Self-sufficient" lie
My path was smooth, my sea was still
not a cloud was in my sky

I thought I knew His love for me
I thought I'd seen His grace
I thought I did not need to grow
I thought I'd found my place

But then the way grew rough and dark
the storm clouds quickly rolled
The waves began to rock my ship
I found I had no hold

The ship that I had built myself
was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare
with nowhere else to hide

I had no strength or faith to face
the trials that lay ahead
And so I simply spoke His name
and bowed my weary head

His loving arms enveloped me
and then He helped me stand
He said, "You still must face this storm
but I will hold your hand."

So through the dark and lonely night
He guided me through pain
I could not see the light of day
or when I'd smile again

Yet through the pain and endless tears
my faith began to grow
I could not see it at the time
but my light began to glow

I saw God's love in brand new light
His grace and mercy too
For only when all self was gone could
Jesus love shine through

It was not easy in the storm
I sometimes wondered why
At times I thought "I can't go on"
I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry

But Jesus never left my side
He guided me each day
Through pain and strife
through fire and flood
He helped me all the way

And now I see as never before
how great His love can be
How in my weakness He is strong
how Jesus cares for me

He worked it all out for my good
although the way was rough
He only sent what I could bear
and then He said "Enough"

He raised His hand and said "Be still!"
He made the storm clouds cease
He opened up the gates of joy
and flooded me with peace

I saw His face now clearer still
I felt His presence strong
I found anew His faithfulness
He never did me wrong

And now I know more storms will come
but only for my good
For pain and tears have helped me grow
as nothing ever could

I still have so much more to learn
as Jesus works in me
If in the storm I'll love Him more
that's where I want to be

Author
~Wendy Greiner~