Shame is not the end

Shame is not the end of the road

It’s the bottom of the hill

With a fork and a bend

Where I somehow slid

Did I not take direction?

Did I not read the signs?

Did I take a wrong turn

Drive the wrong side?

Whatever the case,

I am here in this place

With a fork and a bend

And a choice to be made:

Continue in shame and the circuit of sinning

A circular track with no end

And no clear beginning.

It looks so easy, and it won’t hurt my pride

I just dust off and keep cruising

Take the downhill ride

Or the steep walking track.

Up and off to the right;

The first step is clear

And the rest out of sight

It looks dark from the road

But if I lift up my eyes

To the far distant hills,

I can see the bright city

My heart leaps and thrills

My friend and my God

My king and my feast

Is preparing a place

Just for me

Where I’m free

“Take one step”

He calls out 

and his voice sounds so close

So I do

And the weight

Of my burden seems weightless

And I feel like my legs become wings

And the steep uphill track

Is still under my feet

But my feet are now floating

And my hands are both held

My lungs full with breath so alive and so fresh

The first step seemed so hard

And yet effortless now

As I fly and I skip with my God through the clouds.