Darkness, darkness, land of shadows
Oh my heart is full of you
Grace and mercy, God’s compassion
Is hidden from my narrow view.
I have failed again, again I’ve failed you
Failed myself and those I love.
Why keep trying? I keep on failing.
Why even ask what I should do?

Your loving kindness hidden by my blindness
I’m insensitive and dull of heart
Will I never learn to hear You,
God of Light who darkness cannot hide….
Failures again, failures before
No easy solutions – I hear judgement roar.
Though your heart does not condemn me,
Guilt and shame and unbelief pierce me through
This wounded warrior falls to her knees before you.

But though the shadows in the valley
Are so dark I can’t see
I know in faith, with His rod and staff
My Shepherd comes to comfort me.
With lovingkindness He reaches down
And lifts this lost sheep from the ground
The One who holds me in HIs arms
Can save the ones I love from harm.

(Written 7/15/2021…it’s hard to watch your children struggle, whether they are little kids, teens or grownups. I will always wish I had done more, done it better, done it sooner…seems like parenting sets you up to always have to cry out to God….)