I never knew you, never will
Till I walk on gilded shores
But I'm descended from your line
Your oldest granddaughter.

Your life was broken, marred by sin
Rev’ling, adultery, drugs
You yielded daily to the pull
Of Satan’s darkest night.

Was there a sin left uncommitted?
In your life on earth
Is left unanswered; your brokenness
Was evident to all.

Yes, I’ll never know you here on earth
But in bright eternity
Face to face I’ll see you there
Where sin can reign no more.

World, I heard the lyrics that you sing
I’ve felt the pain that false love brings
I know the dark of depths of woe
I’ve seen the scars that few will show.

World, even music breathes your lies
Says hope’s sun sets in paradise
That sin’s allure’s your only happiness
But cannot reach eternal bliss.

World, your hope is fleeting, slipping fast
Your art reflects it; but, alas,
Your billions of feet tread the broadened path
That holds destruction in its grasp.

I know you likely read that title and thought that it could be read multiple ways. That, my friends, is a deliberate choice in ambiguity. Many would read that title and think I am going to talk about how it is so difficult to be a Christian. I am instead going to pose the question the other way: Why does everyone else think it is so hard to be a Christian? This is part 1. I am going to focus on the topic of sacrifice.

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A few years ago, I had a radical meeting with Jesus which ended in a marriage proposal. It was achingly beautiful, and wholly moving. I could not resist the tug on my heart or the meaning of His words whispered into the depths of my spirit. "Be my bride my beloved, I will love you no matter what." I said yes of course, tears flowing down my face. I was in complete disbelief, but from the deepest part of my soul, I wanted what He offered. The next day I woke up, looked down at my ring, and realized wow, that really happened! Now I’m married!

Author's Note:

Hello my fellow homeschoolers and friends! After a very long unintended hiatus, I have returned to AP! I certainly missed writing for this site and I hope to not spend so much time away from it again! My life has taken quite a few crazy turns in the past few years, but I have also been mightily blessed! I finally graduated from college (again!) and have been working quite a bit. I am sorry to those who had to wait so long for me to post something. I have had a bit of a poetry drought during these past few years, but I hope that is ended now!

“He hasn’t woken. Please, Lord, he still hasn’t woken.”
Martha watched her sister lace long, taut fingers together and press them to her lips. To Martha, it seemed unreal. Between the two, her sister had always been serene. Now her throat constricted visibly as if she was choking. And Martha, the worrywart, laid her hand on her sister’s arm. Goosebumps covered her coffee-colored skin. “Have you called Joshua?”
{{“Have you called Joshua?” Martha called from the bathroom, wringing her black hair out in front of the mirror.
“Yep, just did! He said he’s on his way.”