Sheila's Dribs 'n Drabs

Law is the pit in the ground where we lie. Love rises up from the grave. Law is the mirror that proves we must die. Love takes our place and love saves. Law gathered stones all together for throwing. Love drew a line in the sand. “Let one who has no sin take up the first stone.” Law stepped away and love sang. Law hung my God on a cross on a hill. Love paid the price for my sin. Love rose from the dead and love weeps for me still. Love’s gonna change me. Love wins. Hallelujah!

 It we make right laws and force all to obey, will we save our nation, Or will we learn like Pharisees we’ve spurned that great salvation? Cry crucify and find the one we’ve crucified   was Him For we have crucified our Lord.

 I was there when they crucified my Lord. I was there; it was for my sins he died. I was there when they nailed him to the tree. All the times I’d blamed my neighbor—those the nails. I was there when they laid him in the tomb. Let me lay down there my pride; Let me kneel at my neighbor’s side; Let me no more stand in judgment For I judged Him and he died For you, for me. Let us no more stand in judgment You and I.

 I’ll take a stand on Him, for sure, then at his feet I’ll kneel And learn to wash my neighbors’ feet, until his love I feel Flow unobstructed through me, only then might I deserve To stand with him and serve with him and join him in his work. Till then I’ll bow my head and kneel beside my neighbors’ feet — I’ll kneel before my king.

 He rode no valiant warhorse. He bore no mighty sword. His glorious crown was made of thorns. His robes trailed in the mud.   He led no revolution His politics were love He offered absolution, mercy, Hope; for these he stood,   The stones would shout to praise him If people didn’t cry. Then palms be thrown. No golden road For donkey and its rider.   So, will we shout Hosanna Or turns our backs instead — Facing the crowd, shout “Not allowed,” Though for our sins he bled?   They cannot see our savior Who rides the donkey’s back — See only us who block the path With laws, with crowns of thorns.   They cannot see him. How can we Not weep?

Mourning the dawn The turtle-dove torn From the fabric of memory. Birthday they feted His name all awaiting His shame. Deathday was black When the sky hacked the curtain In two. Morning and dawn Left the fabric alone. He’s reborn and the memory’s true.

He wanted hope We gave him a long slope to climb He wanted trust We showed him what he must do He wanted truth We asked him “What is truth?” And never knew He wanted me and you. We crowned his head And tears bled down his cheeks We crown his heart In statues and we seek To crown him ours But he has crowned instead His government To rule in me and you. He wanted me And took me by the hand He wanted trust That seeks to understand He wanted truth And gave to me and you His words to share He showed us how to care.

He carved a box for her In seasoned wood With flowers on the side He said he would Take care of her his bride. Hung on a cross for us Her dying son She would’ve placed his bones Inside the box Instead he rose. And butterflies Remind us he’s alive

I used to think they were blind White mice watching an empty sky They couldn’t see me fly. I used to think they were lost Missing meanings tossing dreams To deep uncounted cost. I used to think they were scared Counting answers everywhere When only stars were there. But now I’ve burned my last desire And fueled my final fury’s fire And gravity’s unwrapped the wire Now I, the hidden star, expire. My light so bright Makes day from night And those who are not blind See this, delight In heaven’s sacred sight.

Cut from the land and carved, Sliced into planks and scarred Work of our hands, this hard And cruel wood has borne Us all. Cut from his father’s heart Sliced by his brothers, scarred Bearing another’s mark He’s paid for us and borne Us all. Deeper my roots will grow Deep into him I’ll sow All of my dreams and know He’s borne them all Live now the broken tree Growing to life as we Wake from our strife and see He’s borne us all.