The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Pastor (11/30/06)
They look to me for guidance, leading, care,
And trust me with their struggles and concerns.
Flock asks for counsel, comforting and prayer,
Approach me frequently so they may learn.

I stand uneasy on this pedestal,
And sense the weight, responsibility.
I’m always stressed, my plate is always full,
And yet admit that’s not what bothers me.

At times, feel so convicted when I preach
About the secret that I hold within.
I’m struggling to live the truths I teach
And feel weighed down by my besetting sin.

Convey I fall, that I am just like them,
Can tell they see it as humility.
That isn’t it, for they don’t see me when
The conflict, turbulence erupts from me.

Although I say my family comes first,
I’m in their presence when I break, I snap.
My wife and kids receiving all the worst…
Fall victim to a shove, a kick, a slap.

Afraid that they’ll expose our secret life,
And yet the treatment that they get from me,
My children don’t deserve, nor does my wife.
This isn’t how their lives were meant to be.

I promise not to lose control again
And when it seems that I’ve earned back their trust,
Soul boils, pressure rises up within,
And they’re recipients of temper’s thrust.

Their fearful looks burn deep into my mind,
My guilt seems sometimes more than I can bear.
All know me here, makes treatment hard to find.
To those I love, incredibly unfair.

Community would be in shock, I know…
Our church’s testimony would be marred.
To all, this news would come as such a blow.
I want to do what’s right, it’s just so hard.

Parishioners are easy to deceive,
And would be devastated if they knew.
Afraid that it would shake what they believe.
I need some help, but don’t know what to do.

So many times I’ve almost given in,
Convicted by the Holy Spirit’s voice
That I confess to elders, secret sin,
But still, I’ve not obeyed and made that choice.

God loves me, wants the best for ev’ryone.
Sees all, from Him I know I cannot hide.
It’s time to talk, for something must be done
To heal the pain, the rage, that reigns inside.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1491 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
12/09/06
Oh my, this is powerful, and I love your poetic language--No forced rhymes, great meter, and it doesn't read a bit like prose...very well done.
william price
12/10/06
So this is how it is done. Excellent!!! It flowed to perfection and ministered to my heart. I'm very impressed. God bless.
Beth Muehlhausen
12/11/06
Honesty spoken through the cry of a heart of desire - very powerful. How perfect that you ended with a plea for healing and the realization that transparency before others will begin that process. Very nicely done - deep and penetrating.
Cheri Hardaway
12/14/06
I so love your last stanza. I might have titled it The Rage that Reigns Inside. Wow! Deep and awesome. I am not a poetry writer, but clearly you are! Good work, and the only piece I've seen so far on this kind of hidden sin. Blessings, Cheri
CeCe Lane
12/14/06
I liked it. It reminds that my Pastor is only human and does fail at times. Thank you.
Catrina Bradley
12/14/06
Heartbreaking. It took me a couple of verses to get into the poetry, but once I did I was hooked. I feel so sorry for your MC, but I don't like him! You certainly stirred my emotions with your writing. Well done.
Catrina Bradley
12/14/06
I wanted to add to my comment - about not getting into the poetry - that's because of me not being used to reading poetry! FW is changing that. :) I enjoyed reading this beautiful poem.
Valora Otis
12/14/06
This gives new meaning to keeping your eye on Christ, and not on man. Thank you for this honest insight into a life who needs and in the end, wants help. I pray it ministers to those who are hurting their families out there. Christ died for our sins, I pray that they can be repentant and turn the tide of this horrible grievous sin. Bless you for having the courage to write this article, Laurie!
Linda Watson Owen
12/29/06
Laurie, you've really reached a true balance of harsh reality in theme and still maintained poetic beauty. Very well done!