Love is in Your Nature

Love is in Your nature,
and Your mercy is all around,
because when I felt like giving up,
You brought heaven down.

It was something in the rain that day,
the way it sang as it made contact.
It reminded me of that whispered sound You sang
when my mind was under attack.

And as I looked into the trees,
the wind gave a subtle blow.
Their leaves danced as they raced to earth
when You told them to let go.

As the night settled in,
the moon and I looked for a place to hide,
for there was a storm in the distance.
But then I remembered: it’s on the storms that You ride.

Shouts of thunder grew loud.
Lightning warned the dark:
“Your reign is but for a moment,” it roared.
“The King, even now, is not far.”

With bravery, the moon began to take flight.
She shined brighter than before,
for a new light was shining on her.
This odd light was shaped like a door.

The door began to open,
and the light grew brighter still.
But my eyes never looked away that night,
until the sky the light did fill.

As birds began to wake,
the brave moon drifted off to sleep.
All the world I had seen before
looked more to me now like a dream.

I thought, “This must be heaven.”
Then a voice said, “No, son, this is just a taste.
There’s still more I want you to do
before you see the real place.”

Through tears, I cried, “Where are You, Lord?”
“Son, I am right here,” I heard Him say.
“I’m at the place I’ve always been.
You know I’m never far away.”

“Why can I not see You?” I asked,
rivers pouring from my eyes.
“Your sight is not ready yet,
but you will see me when it is time.”

“Until then, look for my reflection.
You will know when it is mine.
It may look like ordinary nature to some,
but you will see what is divine.”

“I understand,” I said,
“with what little understanding I have.
But what if I forget and lose this sight?”
And then He said, almost with a laugh,

“Child, what I have given
can never be truly lost.
But if you should forget your sight,
remember these words when you’re storm-tossed:

Love is in my nature,
and my mercy is all around,
because whenever you feel like giving up,
I’ll bring heaven down.”

-The Poet