STOKED

My feet have strayed 

from hallowed ground

the flames are closing

all around

I need you Lord

yes I believe

that I have sinned

I was deceived

I wanted something

not of you

as often we

mere mortals do

I run around

I scream and shout

But find there is just

no way out

I seek Your face

and You appear

to whisper sweetly

in my ear

Hold My hand child

though you strayed

I’m with you now

I am the way

In the fire

You are here

You walk so close

You draw me near

You tug my hand

say Walk on child

neither flame

nor heat is wild

You’re in control

of what it burns

eternal life is

Your concern

You are the refuge

from the heat

in this furnace

where we meet

You are the refuge

from the flame

there is no need

to search in vain

You are the one

Who’ll see me through

if I just keep

my eyes on You

I will not fail

to persevere

draw closer Lord

and I’ll not fear

You are the refuge

that I seek

Because my heart and 

flesh are weak

In these flames

I start to sweat

my story

isn’t over yet

My God, My Lord

He overcame

so build a fire

stoke the flame

fasten the chains 

of sin and shame

The Glory?

It is His, you’ll see

Because His love

has set me free

Again.

- Vera Patterson

 

Growth

The biggest bird I’ve ever seen

filled the sky and then my screen

formed of air and formed of mist

for but a moment to exist

suspended there with widespread wings

embracing me and everything

embracing all that it could reach

a lesson here for me to teach

for but a moment... yes that’s true

just a blink for me, for you

time is ticking soon it ends

we lose our patience, lose our friends

we lose our things we lose our light

the day gives way unto the night

we lose our joy, we lose our love

we lose our faith in God above

we lose the laughter, lose our grip

we lose our footing then we slip

we lose our childhood then our youth

we lose sight of what’s the truth

we lose time, we lose the day

we lose our chance, we lose our way

we lose the peace we fought to gain

we lose our mind we go insane

we lose our strength we lose our sight

we lose our cool and start to fight

we lose our dream, we lose our hope

lose all ability to cope

we lose our kids we lose our car

we lose all sense of who we are

we lose our parents, lose some weight

we lose our hair our eyes go faint

we lose so much it’s hard to know

how losing things can help us grow

and yet it does or so it seems

we grow some insight to our needs

we grow some balls, we grow a spine

grow out of saying “No, it’s fine”

we grow some wings, we grow some sense

we drop the need for all pretence

we grow some wisdom, grow some light

grow used to shadows in the night

we grow in touch with all we are

we grow used to battle scars

we grow weak or we grow strong

grow used to sometimes being wrong

we grow up, we grow old

we grow meek, we grow bold

we grow a voice that’s all our own

we stop expecting blood from stone

we grow patience we grow wealth

then understand that time is stealth

we grow sick we grow weary

we look around and we grow teary

we grow wistful for the time

before our age started to climb

for but a moment to exist

formed of air and formed of mist

filled the sky and then my screen

the biggest bird I’ve ever seen.

- Vera Patterson

 Prepared

From the sky and from the air

he watches me but I’m not scared.

My Father also watches on

as does His ever precious Son.

Eyes on me! He commands

I am the Shepherd and the Lamb

I am the way, the truth, the life

the evil one will bring you strife.

Know he’s there, be not afraid

it is for Me you have been made.

One life, one sky, One to be feared

one voice to raise, one God revered.

Your only hope, the Holy One

I’ll grant you life when life is done.

This one can only watch and tempt

In Me your soul can rest, repent

Eyes on me! He commands

I am the Shepherd and the Lamb

I will find you in the storm

from my hand you’ll not be torn.

I’ll wait for you with love and grace

resist the ways he tests your faith.

Turn to me, take my hand, 

heed my words, keep my commands.

The devil wants to steal your gaze

with eyes on Me you’ll not be fazed.

Just like these clouds that soon will pass

the life he offers will not last.

Look past my child, I wait above

to shower you with hope and love

Ignore this one who watches on

he’ll steal your soul and you’ll be gone

From the sky and from the air

he watches me but I’m prepared.

- Vera Patterson

 

This is me at the beginning of each day

killing it!

Jumping high

OVERCOMING

every obstacle.

That back leg though...

It’s

Despair

self-pity

anger

pride.

Sometimes it clears

I land

jubilantly

sometimes it 

knocks,

trips me up

knocks me out

and I feel

blindsided

In this moment I remember as I approach

the hurdle -

jumping is up to

ME

but being airborne?

That is

GOD.

If I FOCUS on 

HIM

I clan clear the challenge.

If I FOCUS on

ME

well...

That back leg right?

If I take credit for clearing the

hurdle

stop to celebrate

MYSELF

momentum will carry me crashing

into the next

hurdle

If I remember

IT WAS GOD

and it will

NEED

to be Him again in

3.2 seconds

I am more likely

to jump and be jubilant

that

HE is a PROMISE KEEPER

who carries me

EVERY

time that 

I TRUST HIM

- Vera Patterson

 

He seeks me.

From deep down in my soul

He bids me Waken!

Follow! Obey!

He seeks me.

Stalks my dreams

Imbuing the with ribbons of hope

for a life not contained by

these fingers, these toes.

A life where skin

dissolves, where my light

re-emerges.

He seeks me.

From a space within

where words from lips

maintain shape,

not transforming between my tongue

and his ears

confusing who I am and what

I need.

He seeks me.

Offering 

more of Him

in exchange for

more of me...

stripping me naked

all the while calling me

Beautiful Creation!

Daughter! Beloved!

He seeks me.

Over 

the mountains

through

the valleys

in the

meadows

in the

sunshine

in the

wind

in the throws of

every storm

offering

a crevice in

His expansive hand

where I curl up and

rest

before 

rising from dreams

imbued with ribbons of hope

to seek 

Him

- Vera Patterson

Cross words

Beat me, shame me all you can

 I am the lion and the lamb

When I die you shall be free

 It is the man you kill in me

I never sinned, I never strayed

I will rise beyond the grave.

My father waits and He is pleased

that I have suffered your dis-ease 

You disbelieved that I am He

To your salvation holds the key.

Father? Forgive them one and all

On your merciful grace I call.

You were right, they all are lost

My precious blood will pay the cost

It will redeem them when it’s shed

The sacrificial lamb be bled

Father! Father! Bring me home

To sit beside you on your throne

Your will for me, it is complete

I die in glory not defeat.

My sheep? Your sins He’ll not condone

And so for them I have atoned

Come my child, sit at my feet

It’s in your need that we shall meet.

 I am your shepherd and the Light

 I will keep you through the night.

It is my blood that cleans your slate 

Young or old it’s not too late.

Tell me... whisper what you’ve done

I’ll lead you home my precious one

When you believe you are the host

for Father Son and Holy Ghost

I am the One, the Great I am 

I wait to love you all I can.

 

- Vera Patterson