Paraphrased Pathway

Victory Over Discouragement

So often many feel as if they have been kicked with a stick.

Staying stuck to the ground without making a sound.

Down is how we feel, as we try to yell but can’t even make a squeal.

So low as we feel alone getting despondent, we call out waiting for a respondent.

Darkness approaches as we have so many cycles of reproaches, the dim is all that could host this.

Crying out asking God “I call you to hear me when I call to you.”

For all other methods seem to go to dust and this is what we must do.

In this scene we tear up a bit in our transit, feeling hope is stolen by a bandit.

All we have placed in things that just unravel, that will turn to dust as time travels.

Our hope is only in the Trinity that conquers all in any vicinity.

Our liberator comes in the form of the Incarnation to take on all of this devastation.

In our midst does the King of Kings arrive to raise us up not simply to survive.

To embrace our true selves and no longer into darkness may we delve.

Casting out that which tirades us and tries to parade us and deflate us.

Embracing us in this place, filling it with so much grace and peace calling attention to the rise of the deceased.

We bow to Him to listen to His call and command, we feel His presence wherever we may stand.

Seeing the Truth now revealed that in voice of rejection should equal automatic lie detections and be kicked out of here into the lake down by the peer.

We are called to be great, not to be ones of comfort.

We are called to live as saints, not to fit into the popular on earth.

We are called to live as Christ to others, day by day and step by step.

Feeling the embrace and love given to us, a call to embrace our dignity.

For by the Cross all this is conquered and the world is completely changed.

Completely transformed by this illuminating, all over the entire range.

God calls us out of despair, for He brings us to sit at the table of a Heavenly Feast.

God calls us to reject the sins of our past and ignore all that which put us on blast.

God loves us and has something so grand for us that we just can’t understand, the first step to achieve this is to trust in His plan.

Dropped Calls

Just ending a session at the gym mixing up weights and throwing shots at the rim.

Not realizing how my day is about to get super dim.

 With the feeling of overcoming this Shady cloud seeming so Slim.

As I recover from the shift and drift to prepare to relax and take-off and let myself shake-off.

Unbeknown, I am about to be informed of a great loss.

That will leave me like a cornhole bag feeling way tossed and criss crossed.

As I get the call that makes my heart, soul, and body sprawl in a ball as I receive the news that someone in my life has gone from this world and into despair I feel a great fall.

Truth is this isn’t a one time occurrence.

Seems these calls stack up and piles for many miles as if this Spirit of Death has got me on speed dial.

I am tested again and again by this as if I continue to get put on retrial.

However, I sit in my own head minimizing these minefields in my own denial.

My thoughts begin to take over as they spiral drowning in despair as if I was being eaten by crocodiles in the Nile…

When people ask how I am, I just shrug and give off a forced smile.

I sit at night all I feel is inner-spite because something ain’t right.

I want to scream at life and can’t see any hope in sight.

Again and again these issues seem to loom of the loss of those fallen too soon.

As if any door I open with others will just lead to new doom.

Wanting to scream out as I stay stunned in my own silence of seeing so many taken down by inner-violence.

Leaving me lost in the desert of spiritual dryness.

Ached and hurt by this pain that now I don’t even want to touch the phone.

Just looking at it makes me go insane and leaves my energy dry and drained.

Looking at the Icon of Christ and continuing to look for somewhere to cry out.

For can you send me an angel oh Lord, as I sit here with my tears all dried out?

For you alone are the only one who can get this self-despise out!

After trying on my own, I failed and feel like fast food to go, the way I feel fried out.

Calmness within Catastrophe

The walls are hit and the castle feels rattled.

Constantly dealing with what life throws, in constant battles.

For no mercy or breaks seem to be granted our way.

Bashing, thrashing, as so many things come a-lashing.

However, so much strength and help is what we have been stashing.

By grace, able to deal with and due to what we have been sealed with.

Hope and joy? The enemy cannot steal it.

Seeing mountains fall, but we still stand tall.

Watching waves storm down, but we do not drown.

Smelling the fire’s smoke blazing and burning, but we will not be turning.

Hearing earthquakes and thunder, but our faith does not blunder.

Tasting snowy blizzards freezing and slashing through the air, but our heart refuses to tear.

Feeling the wind of the terrifying tornado rush at us with great pace, but we stand where we are, as this is just another thing to face.

For the chant of saints is louder than anything that comes our way.

The actions of those before us inspire us to not sway.

Finding a calm that cannot be understood by any professor.

Enlightened and emboldened due to spiritual direction and solid confessor.

In all this commotion and emotion we find crossing ourselves, is always a reliable motion.

Faced against so much and many things pointed our direction.

Nothing hits us as the Jesus Prayer offers the ultimate deflection, due to the Resurrection.

Submitting and admitting that only through Christ, can we overcome whatever may be hitting.

We shake it off and brush our shoulders, knowing that a storm is not forever and will one day be over.

Embracing that all pain and struggle is temporary, even when it is getting scary.

Not moved, or defeated by any attack then or now, for only to the Cross is where we bow.

Knowing and trusting that whatever unfolds, God is the one who is truly in control and will always protect our souls.

Praying and in Him resting after so much testing but never a besting.

In all that may stress us and test us there is no reason to have qualm, for staying with the Trinity and Our Mother, will allow us to stay calm.

 Fortitude vs Feelings

Across our experiences’ arbitration that can lead to increased emotions without hesitation.

It may not always be our actual destination in their current presentation.

When our stressors are heightened leading us to be frightened.

Causing our understanding of life to tighten.

In a place where with ourselves we are fighting and spiting.

Looking for something to relax us and lead to a mood lighting.

From all these anxious decrees leading us to misunderstand some things of so many degrees.

We try to rest under the mirage’s palm trees.

Over-assuming scenarios and over-consuming that which makes us wary though.

We don’t completely understand where to go.

Confused at who we even are from so many scars and thrown around in so many crashes of cars.

We want to fly on the wings of eagles, but can’t even hit par.

Within the slow and steady prayer is where we see the doors of repair, and are given help by Divine Care.

There to give shelter in any season for any reason to give us anchor even when we slip into false accusations of self-treason.

This is a process of healing that is not defined by feeling.

Some days will be good and others rough, this is the process with which we are dealing.

Faith is the only thing to which can get us past these endeavors.

There is no short cut through this, even if we think we are clever.

Self-emptying is the only way to be fulfilled with healing and hope, kenosis will cleanse us cleaner than any soap.

Changed and transformed through this on occasion after occasion to be unified with our creator.

The path of theosis will leave us with a brand new feeling, behavior, and destination.

Having been so tired of this place, wanting to escape this confused condition.

This battle will not be won easily, it is a war of attrition.

Step by step as we climb closer to calmness, via our chokti knots.

Misled, as we are, we must pray the Jesus Prayer, and allow God to show us our true lot.

Not being able to be accomplished by our own strength and might.

Grace is the only way in which we have any chance in this fight.

Asking for some illumination to give us a new sight from uncreated light.

Trusting in that which we can’t fully understand or even see.

Somehow accepting this is the process which will lead us to where we are called to be.

Not in turmoil or trauma but as Children of the True God, created with dignity and born to be truly free.

Oasis

This world can be so harsh and brash, as we try to get away on a dash.

Walking around as that which is offered to drink fills us not, as we feel tied up by many knots.

Walking and waltzing mile after mile something to quench our thirst, not that which will devour like the Nile.

For we are offered drink that seems so nice and neat.

However underneath we are attacked by many teeth.

Chomping and clashing, constantly thrashing.

Tired and burnt out, trying to find something else on a new route.

We feel the scorching heat burn not only our skin, our souls’ beneath.

Dried up, we drop down to the ground, exhausted praying to be saved from this heat sound.

Then we look up and see we have been taken to some shade within the sand.

Feeling the cooling effects, to help us readjust in this land.

Finding a small pool to cool and allow us to drink that which actually quenches our thirst.

We see this true water is not momentary but is always within us to last.

Here to help us through any excursion and to overcome the fears of our past.

Energizing us and granting solitude and peace.

Drowning out the attacks of any rabid beast.

Wondering where this wondrous oasis could have come from?

As we realize it was actually within us ever since we were young.

Marked on our soul as those looking over us, took on a Baptismal role.

Marked by the Peraclete to guide us through the most fuming heat.

So that we may extend the goodness of this oasis to whoever we meet.

With grace and love we may spread to whoever we greet.

We are called to remember that we are called into rest and peace.

To embrace the lasting-love granted to us from the Dove.

Taking our time to recharge and unwind.

Leaving all earthly cares behind.

Poured Out

I feel exhausted as I stress over what all life is about.

As much as I try, I can’t figure it out.

Tired of turmoil as I look to grow in new soil.

Wanting out of the dirt, from that which causes hurt.

Over-investing in things that just don’t hit that deep.

Tossing and turning from nights of restless sleep.

Trying to overcome a hill so steep.

So often I crash and burn at every turn.

Thankful in this, for the lessons I learn.

Peace and true happiness, is for what I yearn.

Sifting and rifting through struggle and doubt.

Wanting to find a new place, walk a new route.

Always thirsting, living in drought.

Feeling I have given my all, yet still I fall.

Feeling I can’t escape, as I hit a wall.

Knowing I need help, so to you God, I call.

Eternal Memory

I sit in my own past, seeing peace can’t last as of those who passed, I put myself on blast.

Mourning and scorning, wanting a garden of peace, but I feel in thorning.

Thinking sometimes the pain of these losses will be eternal.

So I sit back in prayer and quietly let the incense burn slow.

God guides me through this, for their story is not yet closed.

A Christian must know the difference between death and repose.

During this my reliance upon Christ grows.

Knowing there is more than just that which is seen, as we are more than dust.

Called to prayer I must ask they be given a place in home for the just.

The control that all are tempted to seek, has been shown to be for not, as it cannot complete,...or even compete.

For God alone is the author of life and all that will ever be.

He wills goodness for all by His very decree.

Taking complete care of all alive and those who pass on.

I must trust alone in His plan to take them to where they belong.

For death has no rule over us due to the Cross.

This pain is but temporary, as I do not belong to a loss.

As Christ calls us back to the light after all our fights.

Calling us all out of our graves to be embraced in His delight.

The best thing I can do is to offer the pain up into prayer.

To trust in the Heavenly Father’s care, all that we bear.

Alone in this pain, is only the help from Jesus’ Name.

Every day I still remember all those who have fallen.

However, in all this pain I heard so loudly, God callin.

For to not give into the darkness or death, as it is easy to fall in.

The healing I seek comes only from Christ, I must go all in.

Christ never abandoned me during this and consoled the pain in my soul.

Picking me up when I feel broken, to make me whole.

Humbling myself, better understanding my role.

To those I lost, I pray for you every day in the humble words I am blessed to say.

Thankful that through Christ, all the pain and hurt does not stay.

That in spite of the trauma and pain that hurts so…

I pray and trust that may your memory be eternal and to the Lord you may go.