THE ROCK

My rock, my fortress,
My restorer you are.
Even when you don't feel close
You're never far.

Sometimes life hurts,
Too much to feel,
But things we can't see
Are sometimes more real.

Like the grace of God
That holds me tight,
Even when I'm in the middle
Of the ferocious fight.....

To hold on to faith
And the things I can't see.
These things that are of God,
And are carrying me.

He knows I hurt,
And the pain so raw,
And I can't remember
The things of God I saw

When life was happy, rich,
And more kind.
But God is faithful and knows
That I will find...

That as I just call His name
Bringing my hopelessness to Him,
As I persevere in prayer,
His grace He will send.

His mercy is present
In those worrying days,
And I don't realize He's working
In unknown ways.

But I go by the facts
And not what I feel
And also by faith
To know what is real.

And that is that HE is my rock
In the pain and stress,
I take Him at His word
And bring my weary self to His rest.

Usually at some point
I begin to look back and see,
That HE gradually gave new strength and life,
And took care of me.

He took my pain and fears
! And situations of need,
And because of faith, and grace
He worked for good, indeed.

So when deep pain, worry and stress
Come knocking at my door,
I will answer with cries of faith
To the rock, who will restore!

~ Sheila Shepard ~
Richmond, Va.