CAGED BIRDS AND SCARLET CORDS

As a little trusting lamb, Jesus sealed my heart,
But evil people turned my path to tear my life apart.
Satan's children held me fast with all they could afford,
But they could not break the scarlet cord that bound me to my Lord.

Many times I caught a glimpse of Jesus in the mist,
But the children of The Evil One held me tight within their fists.
They placed me in a cage of lies for which I had no key,
But in the darkness and despair, Jesus spoke to me.

He said He had a wondrous plan, and truths for me to know,
And someday fruit would ripen from the seeds that He would sow.
During all the ghastly trials, brow-beaten by Satan's horde,
I'd feel the presence of Jesus and the tug of the scarlet cord.

I witnessed many dreadful things that children should not see,
But through it all I learned the things that Jesus taught to me:

I learned that worldly pleasures are not to be adored,
The only thing that matters is commitment to the Lord.
I learned that happiness cannot be found in accumulating things,
But in the peace and precious joy that only Jesus brings.
I learned that we must guard our hearts from Satan's every charm,
For wrongful deeds and sinful choices can surely bring us harm.
I learned that Satan cannot claim those, whom God has sealed,
And that any wounds from battles fought the Lord can surely heal.

As the timeline of my life stretched onward through the years,
The scarlet cord kept tugging and Jesus wiped my tears.
Reminding me that even though my world was very dark,
Within my heart burned the light of Heaven's precious spark.

One day as a woman, all grown and in despair,
I felt that life was over and no more of it could I bear.
All at once my mind's eye cleared and the cage was opened wide,
I felt the scarlet cord grow tight and I was pulled to Jesus' side.

He commanded those who'd held me as a captive to their whims,
To cease their wicked program, for I belonged to Him.
The many lessons that I learned while in my captive state,
Are now a message I can take to those who've shared my fate.

And day by day His truth I see dispelling every lie,
He's taken this little, broken bird and taught it how to fly.
Now I soar above the wispy clouds, His power beneath my wings.
And I know for certain and for sure why the caged bird sings.

This poem won second place for the October 2005 poetry contest