GRACE ~ a poem

i stand here before you, feeling sick and unclean

you may think what you want, but i know the unseen

i'm great at pretending and putting on a mask.

in fact, i'm living an act, so that no one will ask. 

but when i stand before the God who created the stars,

he says, "Daughter, I know you, and I see all your scars."

i hang my head in shame, for i know what i've done:

i've lied, i've hated, i've set myself as number one.

in his presence i fall, bowing low on my knees.

i cry, "o great King, please have mercy on me!

there's nothing for me but to ask for your grace."

as the words leave my lips, i sink lower on my face.

then i hear, "O beloved, I don't see you as filthy.

for you my Son died, in my goodness and mercy.

I love you, my daughter, his blood makes you clean;

you're a saint, not a sinner. From your sins you are free.

"Now go to the world and rest in my love.

Quit trying to earn your way, my Son is enough.

You're not a disappointment, you are pure in my eyes.

simply seek to know Christ and him crucified."

as his words wash over my heart, i'm reminded of what's true:

that day on the cross, he paid all that was due.

so now i don't have to work or even try to repay,

because, friends that's missing the point, and the point is:

 His grace.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:1