This is a poem I wrote about two years ago. I was playing with the thought of what would Jesus say to me and how would I respond when thinking about my own fragmented inner self. My child: My Rock in the Whirlwind No matter your state I am constant, all things wax and wane in your world, my love is infinite all-consuming, never changing, my light that heals your soul. Your failures are many, weaknesses profound, often wandering off you go like a child lost and afraid, for deep within is great sorrow that all of my children carry, though often hidden below the anger, sin, addictions and depression. Do not fear my child, just trust, difficult for you to do yet it is what I ask. Inner voices that you hear are yours, those that scream are in pain, aspects of yourself still fragmented, yet my Love my child draws it together, allowing peace to return once more for a season and then gone again. Your only rest is trust in my love, for the journey in this world is filled with pain, sorrow and failure. Your weakness draws my mercy and compassion, that I have for all, none outside my embrace, hard to believe, but infinite love is of a nature that none in your finite world can comprehend nor understand. (My response) My rock in the whirlwind I often lose touch with the center, spinning off into chaos and pain, yet I cling to you Oh Lord my only rock in the whirlwind. Dark clouds are low, my own failures and sins scream at me in the storm, flashing lightning and hail seeking to feed on my despair, yet I reach out to you beloved, This is your grace I know, a pure gift of your infinite love. I look up to your face beloved, what else can I do, for you are the center, the rock from which I stand, my only foundation in a world both inner and outer that shifts, quakes, changes, is torn down and builds up again; yet you are constant. My life a flash in eternity, how little I know and understand; weak often my response, my soul and body frail; yet you revive my spirit constantly, calling me to begin ever anew, the raging sea never closes over me, I rejoice in your love, that is greater than my heart; all hearts. I do not believe you will ever let me go. Lord Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us all.-BrMD