One Day Soon

One day soon, I will go,
Back to what was so well known.
But this place, one quite strange,
Feels oddly more like home.

In this time, I have changed,
And more than I can say.
It’s simply happened over time,
A little, day by day.

Mother to, seventeen,
Has made my life quite full.
They’ve filled and drained my heart of love,
And sanctified my soul.

I still wonder at what point,
My life, and dreams were lost…
Into their sweet, young hopes,
Which somehow, made mine thrust.

He never told me, of the pain,
I would feel for them;
Stories, memories surfaced up,
Owned by each one’s name.

And feeling deeply, my soul bore
Their burdens that gave age –
To the book of my life,
Their tears on every page.

Yet, the sunshine in their smiles,
Brightened like the morn,
And Christ himself walked our halls,
Helping love be born.

With every word, there was growth,
As we learned to talk.
But even more, to listen true,
And keep our ears unlocked.

Who could guess that in one year,
These girls became my friends,
Not a job, nor a task –
But sisters to the end.

I did not bring them, into the world,
Yet I have learned each cry;
This thing, maternal, grew within,
I hope it never dies.

And, who can speak of settling,
When constant change is known,
Packing is their expertise,
And thousands of miles, flown.

So, as I sojourned through this land,
My fear was swallowed whole;
By their courage, aged and true,
That soared out from their souls.

“Are you here?” one asked me,
“or simply biding time?”
I choked back bittersweet tears,
For this year has been sublime.

Amazing grace, how rich it’s been,
Each day within my heart –
And extended out to my girls,
Jesus helped me to impart…

While ugly, heinous, my own sin,
My faithful God shed light to see –
Now, His glory shines brighter still,
And, all situations He has redeemed!

Zooming out, I see Him painting,
Upon our souls, more and more –
The grandest image, true and pure,
Jesus himself, our Great Savior!

Has the countdown really begun?
I suppose the answer is yes.
Yet my daily plea will not change:
More of you, God, and of me, less!

One day soon, I will go,
Up to what has never been known.
So, this earth, keep it strange,
And, fix my gaze, God, on your throne.