Safe now

They're safe now Lord, those we've loved and lost
But yet we cry and still we try to count the cost
All those times we took for granted
How we wish that we had counted
Every precious sixty seconds
Way too late we learn life's lessons

Those we've loved and lost now feel no pain
The agony is ours who here on earth remain
The tears flow unchecked, and checked they flow again
Our wounds will weep to speak of that which words cannot explain.

They're safe now Lord, those we've loved and lost
And so are we, if only we could see
beyond this poor reflection of all that lies in wait
When we too leave this earth - this temporary state
and fly with all the angels, and dance on ageless limbs
On glancing heaven's glory, this poor tired earth grows dim.

Those we've loved and lost now know no tears
It's us who grieve and mourn their unlived years
An anguish that proclaims unspoken fears
Our heart cries out in ways that no-one hears.

They're safe now Lord, those we've loved and lost
and love remains and memories we keep
and those we feel have disappeared forever
are simply out of sight and now at peace
We see them not upon our own horizon
But mortal eyesight fails and dims with age
and on a distant shore they will be welcomed
eternal life begins, another page, 
the completion of this journey, the ending of a chapter
brings pages yet unread by us and frees us from the captor - 

that we call life.  It's all we've known,
frail bodies into which we've grown
are temporary dwellings, inside is the treasure
beyond understanding, beyond our measure
If only we'd grasp that life's ending brings more
and death's not the future, it's only a door.

They're safe now Lord, those we've loved and lost
And in our pain, our anger, disbelief
reach out and reassure us in our grief
that just as you embrace us in our pain
You also hold the one for whom we cry
and somehow they are not so far away
for they- and we - are nurtured Lord by You
You hold my hand, and yet you hold theirs too.

Karen Holmes
24th February 2005

(Inspired by my Uncles "promotion to glory"  and the numbness expressed by others in pain.  The loss, the anger, disbelief, the feeling that nothing will ever be the right or whole again and yet the need to go on living.  The sense of Christian certainty that this life is not all - that we are promised more - mixed in with the anguish.  The sense that those we've lost are only a breath away, just beyond our present sight, our present horizon.

"Victory is assured to those who believe".  Dedicated to Dave, because the memories live on, as does the sadness.)

How Long?

How long till we come to our senses?
How long till the truth becomes clear?
How long till we cover the distance
and stand side by side without fear?
How long till we worship together?
How long till the body of Christ
is made up of all who acknowledge
that He paid the ultimate price?

I'm anguished by such cruel division
I am screaming inside as I cry
For I'm parted from part of my family
and my spirit can't understand why.

My head knows the reason's, but somehow
I'm finding it hard to contain
The frustration that's building inside me
A part of me cries out in pain.

So how must the father heart of God
To our sad plight respond?
I believe that His tears are mingled with mine
As I cry "Oh my God, how long?"

Karen Holmes
2013.

Broken but dancing inside

Feeling flattened, Oh so weary
Broken body, lonely soul
Tired of striving to be better
Someone always moves the goal
Disappointed, disillusioned
Where's my lifeline, where's my hope
I'm at the end of my resources
I'm not sure if I can cope.

I'm broken on the outside
but dancing in my soul
For God is dwelling in me
I'm His, I'm free, I'm whole!
Oh fan into life the flame
that flickers in the breeze
And let it burn - a mighty fire
Oh Spirit, I believe.

I believe in you God
I behold your face
Open wide your arms
I need your strong embrace
My soul continues dancing
In the presence of my King
who dwells within, a mighty force
My all, my everything.

Karen Holmes
September 5th 2014

Tiny Acts

It's the tiny acts of kindness
It's the thoughtful word or deed
It's the cherishing of human kind
All colours and all creeds
It's the nod of understanding
and the tender, kind caress
That can make a difference in this world
Make painful times hurt less.

It's the card or letter in the post
The text that says "I care"
It's the reaching out beyond ourselves
To someone else, somewhere.
It's the step outside our comfort zone
to help another stand
that can make a difference in this world
When we lend a helping hand.

It's the greeting of a neighbour
and a friendly, listening ear
It's the smallest reassurance
or the sharing of a fear
The befriending of a lonely soul
Recognition in the street
It's the knowing of a first name
Whenever you may meet.

And you may not think it matters
In the worldwide scheme of things
But you'll never know the consequence
Our little deeds may bring
So we can't be slow in doing good
For it starts with me and you
Our little kindness here and there
Could mend a life or two.

Yes the world will carry on my friends
All the killing and the hate
They're the tiny deeds of selfishness
which brought us to this state.
Let us build with acts of loveliness
Let us change the world right now
As we make a difference here today
And a seed of hope allow.

It's the little deeds
It's the tiny acts
It's the smallest word or deed
It's the briefest touch
It's the loving hug
That meet somebody's need.

Karen Holmes
4th September 2014