Preparation
A Poem by Dorothy Burton

No one can know your pain, your shame,
the embarrassment you've brought to your hard-earned name.
You've raised the question a thousand times, why?
And now all you want is to fade away and die.

Even your most loyal and trusted friend,
has left you to twist alone in the wind.
Everything for which you've worked hard to achieve,
has been ripped away – it's hard to believe!


How could this have happened you continually ask?
The answer I suggest can be found in the mask.
You know the mask I am referring to,
the one you wore to hide the real you.


You are hurting so badly because you had such pride,
now all is exposed, there is nowhere to hide.
Your image you thought, was everything and more,
but now you've been stripped right down to the core.


Those who have longed to see you fall,
are lapping it up and having a ball.
You had it all figured out or so you thought,
you had easily surpassed every goal you'd sought.


But God had a greater plan – you just couldn't see,
because you were trying on your own to be all you could be.
As great was your plan, His is far greater still,
and your status and influence are no match for His will.


God will accomplish what He has predetermined to do,
even if it means lovingly breaking you.
And though this feels like total devastation,
it isn't at all. It is just preparation.


Once this is over, you will have a testimony.
You will be stronger and real, no longer a phony.
He is breaking you publicly to use you the same,
to show others the way and bring glory to His name.


What He wants you to learn during this time of sorrow,
is that He alone is your hope for tomorrow.
Recommit to God and give Him your whole heart.
He wants to give you a fresh, new start.


It hurts I know, because I have been where you are.
But left to our own, we'd have only gone so far.
Someday, you will look back and give thanks for this day,
because you will have known success – real success, God's way.

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To the Fallen Believer
A Poem by Dorothy Burton

Life is not dress rehearsal my friend,
we don't get to do this all over again.
But God still has something He wants you to do,
so get back in the game. He still loves you.


Okay, you've messed up – you've never been this down.
But dust yourself off and take a quick look around.
No one is perfect. We all have our faults.
So away with self-pity and negative thoughts!


God who began a good work in you,
is able to complete it, if you'll allow Him to.
Suffering is temporary and pain has its place,
but neither of these is greater than His grace.


Our life is like a vapor, it too will dissipate.
But as long as we have life, it's never too late.
Dream new dreams, set challenging new goals.
Begin today, before the bell tolls.


Don't be like those facing death that say,
"If only I had another week, another day."
John Whittier said it best, before taking his rest –
"For all sad words of tongue and pen,
The saddest are these, ‘ it might have been.' "


So do what you can, do it while you can,
Even your failure was part of His plan.
Your life's not over because you've taken a fall.
It's just life. And life happens to us all.


Get up, get moving, it's a brand new day.
Don't worry about what people will say.
Care not what people think, your life is God's call.
And no matter your fall – He has paid for it all.

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Gorgeous Man
A Poem by Dorothy Burton

You knew this man wasn't God's choice.
Even at the altar, you sensed His voice.
But no matter what, you had made up your mind,
because a man like this was hard to find.


You had waited so long for a man of your own.
How could such love be so wrong?
"Sorry God," you said. "You don't understand."
I've been waiting too long for this gorgeous man.


It didn't take long for you to discover,
now you don't believe you can ever recover.
He cheats; he lies and plays you for a fool.
You mean nothing to him – just his useful tool.


Your life is miserable – a living hell.
You are so ashamed, but whom can you tell?
You can't tell your family because they told you too
that this gorgeous man wasn't for you.


You can't tell your friends – you're the envy of them all.
They'd love to know your life's in free fall.
"Why," you ask, "didn't I listen before?"
Now your life is a mess, you can't take much more!


He has made you believe you're not worth anything,
but that's a lie my sister – you're the daughter of the King!
Turn back to Jesus. He's been waiting for you.
Do it right now, not in a day or two!


Only Jesus can make you whole again.
He will never break your heart like this gorgeous man.
And the next time you hear that still, small voice,
quickly say, "Yes Lord, whatever your choice!"