Sometimes life is hard.  Sometimes we forget that God is here to help us for He seems so far away.  This poem was one I wrote when life seemed to have more dark corners that sunshine.  During one session of a retreat I was attending there were many pictures spread out on the floor of the room and other people had chosen pretty ones, attractive ones, pictures that spoke of life and hope.  I was reluctant to choose.  God seemed so far away.  By the time I got up to fetch my picture there were three left.  I do not remember the other two but the picture I chose was a sketch in black and white – of the stone in front of the entrance to the tomb.  God would not let me forget Him and as I looked at the picture, wondering what hope I could derive from the closed tomb, these words came into my mind.  May they bless you today if you are searching for hope.

The Sealed Tomb

The tomb is sealed. How heavy is my heart.

The way ahead is dark and I’m alone.

I sit in silence, grateful for what is past

The gifts and blessings of my life before,

Yet stunned by recent events, darker than I’d ever dreamed;

And yet I know the tomb does not stay sealed

For as I think on that bright day I hear laughter.

A golden heavenly sound behind the stone,

And as I watch the scene in my mind’s eye

I see the stone is rolled away

And here He comes – my risen Lord – alive!

Bright are His eyes with love, gentle His voice.

He stretches out His arms,

‘My dear child, come, walk with Me.

Don’t stay before this dark and empty tomb.

Come, hold My hand, for I know the way.

Yes, there will still be stones and rough places on your path

But I will walk with you each step of life.’

So I put my trembling hand in His, warm and firm,

And turn my back on the empty open tomb.

Who knows what lies ahead?

I realize now that I don’t care,

For I will not face the future alone.

My Lord is here.

Together we step forward to the light