it's Nita.

God has used poetry to help me work through a lot of past hurt. Here’s something I wrote on shame. I found this photo after writing and it really captures the feeling of shame for me.

Artist: Ayobami Macaulay, Lagos, Nigeria. Artist Description: This piece depicts the artist’s second iteration of the heat map of the human body experiencing shame.

My poem on shame titled “Released”

My soul was made for weeping, the fire in my heart is spent.

The tears flow fresh and freely, down my face, my garments rent.

I cry to the Heavens, to the Lord from which salvation comes.

I long to hear Jesus say, “come, daughter, come.”

I shout in the shadow of darkness’ deep abyss.

I lift my petitions to the Father— I pray they don’t go amiss.

My soul longs for thee in a land where there is no water!

I long to hear Jesus say, “come daughter.”

I feel a fresh wind— coming from the East.

Jesus reassures me that He came for the lost, the least.

I am one of them and my shame has been defeating.

But slowly and surely I feel it shrinking, retreating.

The light of a new day has risen on my heart again.

Jesus said “come daughter, come out of the world of man.”

My feet find their footing safely on solid ground.

He’s made my enemy my footstool—I see them all around.

I was held in shackles from years of hurt and pain.

Even my works of goodness could not dull the shame.

I blamed you, and him, and her, and they.

But most of all I blamed myself for falling and going astray.

My soul has been heavy but now it’s lifted up.

I cast my cares on my Father because His grace is enough.

The tempest is passing, the clouds are parting in the sky.

I’ve called out to Jesus and I know He’s heard my cry.

Chariots from Heaven have come done at my feet.

I’m riding on wings as an eagle, my soul no longer in defeat.

Oh the joy of a new day, the light shining from the East.

My soul, once downtrodden, is freed—released.

😌

Shalom,

it’s Nita.