My friend Lindsay Reid is a talented poet and I've just enjoyed her new collection, 'Slow Surrender'. These heartfelt poems take the reader on a profound journey through faith, despair, suffering and ultimate hope, borne out of Lindsay's battle with chronic illness. There are no trite answers or platitudes, just a courageous trust in the God who is faithful. Here's one of my favourites:
UndyingBereaved. Bereft.
We're left to mourn
For these our children
Lost, unborn,
Stillborn, like buds
On roses never
To open or
To flower, ever.
But oh, the thorns –
The thorns that cling
To eyes, to heart,
To everything –
Please save us, Lord.
We cannot bear
The thorns that pierce
And stab and tear.
Please gather us
That some day, we
Will meet those lost
To us and see
How all the sorrow
Comes untrue
The unborn child
Is born anew
And every heart
Is healed and whole
And there is light
In every soul
And there is hope
In every eye,
For here His children
Cannot die.
You can
buy a copy of Slow Surrender here, and also visit
Lindsay's website for more writing and information about Lindsay's life, faith and disability.