While others were working on their PHD”s,
I've had other labels to brand me.
I asked the Lord to take them away.
This is what He would say,
“You got to go through it.”
It has taken me some time to understand.
Just how this has been the Lord's hand.
Pain and sorrow has been my food.
It was hard to see that the Lord is good.
“You got to go through it.”
I remember reading Footprints in the Sand
and trying to believe in His loving hand.
Couldn't see down the rocky road
At times it was a heavy load.
“You got to go through it.”
I gave up the fight and will.
Sometimes all I could do was take a pill.
Yet, I could hear him in my heart,
“Child, I am not to far.”
“You got to go through it.”
Just when I thought I had seen my end
I felt His presence once again
Child, He said, and He looked me in the eye.
I've watched the last six years go by
And I was there all along
It was my will to make you strong.
You had to go through it.
You got to go through it
I'll keep you in my care
You got to go through it
My perfect love will cast away you fear.
You got to go through it.
By Teri VanPelt 2004
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Teri,
This one is better! Primarily because you are writing from the heart, your experience--that always is a good subject. But, still ask, will the reader get what I get? A couple of other suggestions: 1) use the dictionary frequently (spelling), and get Strunk and White (elements of style), an excellent book on how to write sentences. 2) Don't use slang if it is not integral to characterization (good advice for poetry or fiction)--and I don't think God would say "You got to..." Better to just say "You've got to go through..." But keep writing, and dig in there for deeper meaning. RC
Teri,
This has a definate autobiographical feel to it - which probably better explains your "wayward" piece. the first few stanzas had me - the last stanza seems to fall out of character in relation to the first few as far as timing is concerned. Very relatable on a human level. Go through it indeed. Thanks for sharing this. -- Glenn
