“But when [the son] was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him…the father said to his servants…’let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'” Luke 15:20, 24 KJV

Ease your frantic scrambling in that
ever-expanding thought castle.
(your ideas, plans, and dreams are
its tiles, bricks, and beams)

Yes, you are a castle keeper,
though not its only one.
No more than a child is keeper
of her safety, of her growing.

Tend to your thought castle,
but release the in charge-control-alone-illusion.
A keeper is no good lost.
(and there is much you still don’t realize)

Because how easily otherwise it is to
fall from not-yet opportunity walls,
drown in contrived joy moats,
burn in misunderstood hope dungeons.

You know this, because you have,
in consuming panicked-purpose fear,
slammed the door in Father’s face.
(deadlines looming, no time for Word-breathing Love)

Then you crumble,
and everything caves in,
and you don’t know where or who you are,
and that frantic energy is ready to explode.

You’ve locked yourself inside,
stuck with heart-barred windows.
This wondrous thought castle of possibility,
distorted into an angry, lonely room.

Yet, He Who came in a stable, Luke 2:4-7
Who left hanging on a tree, Luke 23:20-49
Who came back from a tomb, Luke 24:1-30
Who is risen unto Paradise… Luke 24:49-53

He has the key,
You have the need (cry out to Him!),
He has His open arms (what grace!).
Finally, in your castle, you see Home.

You, an inheritor, learning from the King, explore…
Walls reveal doors.
Moats uncover treasure coves.
Dungeons turn to passage ways.

For now, though, you have tired yourself.
Today, let Shepherd carry you up top —
up steep faith-stairs —
and rest in a high safe tower.

Rest in awe of that glorious resurrection view,
In awe of Christ’s glory.
Child, rest in awe.
Rest in peace-filled awe.

“His work is honourable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth forever. He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:3-4 KJV

“The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and He helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.” Psalm 116:6-7 KJV