When I rise
full of LOVE
for life and laughter
and the me that I am
LOVE will meet me…
When I rise
above my own neediness
fears and frustrated tears
and allow myself to be warmed by the Son
LOVE will shine on me…
When I rise
past prayerlessness
desparate hopes, sleepless nights,
and wondering why I’m alone
LOVE will wrap me in its arms…
When I rise beyond sacrificing who I am
mistreating my heart
and giving my affections to the ungrateful…
When I rise above
accepting scraps when
I crave for a whole slice of cake
reaching for carrots
that are merely mirages
of together forever
accepting another’s rejection
as validation
of my undesirability…
When I rise…O when I rise
When I rise above it all
my wings will carry me
to a place called
faith and deliverance
a place where the lies
whispered in the dark
must flee
in the face of such intense light
for this is the place
where God is
and LOVE dwells
For God and LOVE are the same…
and as I rise ever higher
chains snapping from my heart
my mind
my soul
I soar ever higher
carried on the wings
of LOVE itself…
Yes, I rise
and LOVE kisses me deeply
ever so sweetly
and whispers
I’m home
— Michelle McKinney-Hammond