She lost her faith, she says. I read the interview and pause on the photograph.
Her eyes are sad. Haunting.
Throughout the day her heart cry crosses my mind and I pray for her. For others like her giving up on faith. Walking out on worship.
Empty. Doubting.
Heart cry on the page
She pours her wandering out in a work of fiction but it bleeds into non-fiction. Real life. Hers.
I get that. Sometimes in writing for an assignment, my own hidden questions and struggles appear in black and white.
Heart cry coming through the words on the page.
Expressions of the soul
In those moments, I pull out a notebook and detail pieces of the journey. Expressions of the soul. Prayers.
Somedays the free verse flows down the page. Like a waterfall that can’t be stopped.
Other times the words stop and start. Hovering. Halting. Hard to pen.
Learning from the psalmist
The psalmist teaches me this. Honesty with God. Working out my faith on paper. Often finding hope in the process.
And worship that surprises. Praise for the One who sees it all.
All. Even the hidden doubts and concerns tucked back where I don’t remember.
He is able
Every now and then I will share these free verse offerings. In this space.
As a reminder to you and to me that in this world there will be days we struggle with the already, not yet. Seeing through the glass darkly instead of face to face.
And it’s okay to spread our heart cries out before Him. He hears. He knows. He is able.
“Now to Him who is able to strengthen you
according to my gospel and the proclamation about
Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures,
according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles
—to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—
to Him be the glory forever! Amen.”
(Romans 16:25-27)
What about you?
How have you processed the cry of your heart through the years? Is there a verse or passage of Scripture that encourages you in this practice?
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5 replies on “Heart cry”
Thanks Susan. Always on target.
Thank you, Bettie.
Reading about Pentecost this week brings me hope! Peter who denied Jesus and Thomas who asked the questions no one else dared stood before thousands proclaiming the power and glory of God! Surely God can also use me!
I rarely write, usually a busy time, but I LOVE to read your posts! My heart is saying, “AMEN” and I go through each additional post! Our hearts agreeing on TRUTH!! Love it!
So thankful, sister! Praise God 😊