The Light Within

THE LIGHT WITHIN
By Renée Michelle Wenker

When I was young, or rather, a child,
I wondered why God, in Heaven, would hide.
I loved to think of Him every day.
He filled my heart in every way.

I wanted to see Him and hear Him talk.
I wanted to touch Him, and with me, walk.
To Him, I conveyed this, in my prayer.
When it went unanswered, I felt it unfair.

The years went by, and with them, my love,
For the one in my heart, somewhere, up above.
Then suddenly, one day, my faith did diminish.
The talks that I had with Him came to a finish.

There were others things more important to see,
Than the One who never seemed to answer me.
To life, my feelings, I opened and poured,
The thoughts and love I once sent my Lord.

For a while, it seemed that life was such fun.
The excitement, adventure, was never quite done!
I reveled! I laughed! I cried and I sang.
I danced and I played! Life was a Big Bang!!

And yet, there was....and echo inside.
A hollow emptiness, where God does abide.
I began to think of Him, and then I.....
Felt so alone, I wanted to cry!

I'd ignored my God. Resisted the Truth.
Abolished my faith, for the sake of my youth.
How could I claim to be so religious??
I'd renounced my Lord, in a way that was vicious.

I couldn't seem to forgive myself.
A sin, I committed, for material wealth.
In the mirror, I looked and tried to see,
The lack of what I'd used to be.

The light was gone from my eyes.
The mirror reflected my living lies.
The shame I felt cut me in half.
I'd driven myself from God's loving path.

It took many years to set it aright.
To mend my soul; renew that light.
To people, I turned, to help them grow,
The seeds I'd planted, I let patiently sow.

It was not easy, or without trials.
The journey for me, a million miles!
I forgave myself, and God did, too.
For He never forgets either me, or you.

Let this be a lesson to all:
God does answer every call.
We look for Him in our own way.
And thus, we miss His reparté.

Look inside...way down deep.
To where our Lord answers keep.
Like in the smile of a stranger we pass;
The smell of the flowers, the green of the grass.

To be rich and pretty, famous and smart.
These are the things that turned black my heart.
There's nothing as precious as what is within.
To value it less is a tragic sin.

So open the door, and let Him rejoice!
And you'll feel the rewards of a beautiful choice.
Go now in peace and remember this poem.
Love always God, within your own home.