If We But Ask

No matter how much we brace ourselves for what we might face we are fitted only as we need it!

Sometimes it's comforting to visualize His nail-scarred Hand 

reaching down to hold our so-small hand as we reach up...

It's also comforting to visualize those same hands 

enfolding the rebel/prodigal/atheist as we pray!

(For we still live in the day of grace)

The Hand that lowers twilight’s bars

Then fades yon fathoms filled with stars

As daybreak like a weightless tide

Unfolds the muffled countryside

That tells the season by the shell

That cloaks the woodland, field and dell

And steals the wand’ring, wond’ring gaze

With nature’s invincible ways

That Hand that grants the benison

Whereby plant and harvest is done

That guides the earth’s orbit of teal

That spins upon The Potter’s wheel

That shapes with rise and set of sun

The legacy where said-and-done

When we are stripped down to bare clod

Are too small to shake fists at God

The Hand that weathers mortal glove

By the sheer joy and grief of love

That lends all that He gives and takes

In this go-round of sacred stakes

And instills shoal of dust-to-dust

With soul’s indelible Must

Where none, with rebel set of heart

Can shuck That which sets us apart

This Hand that does not slip or fail

That tunes the wind that fills the sail

That vexes vanity’s intent

And perplexes want’s prideful bent

Has scars left there by hate fulfilled

As He made Heaven possible

This Hand that fits us for trust’s task

Will hold our hand, if we but ask

© Janet Martin

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,

 Do not fear; I will help you.

Isa.41:13