The Brandishing flames

by: Carole L. Haines

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! ² “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. ³ “For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43)

I watched a flower unfurl this morning.  It took a very long time, each petal moving

so slowly, not to be detected by the human eye. But a camera had sped up

the entire drama And the Beauty of it, in the midst of this cold, dark winter

cannot be expressed. The hope that it inspired, the despair that it overcame

This flower had survived a Wildfire, In scorching heat She bowed, hunkered down,

and lay low Feeling the flames lick at her stem and move up her furled leaflets

She dared not move, for fear the flames would get inside And touch

the tender inward parts, where true life lies hidden.

The outer petals gave up their lives to protect this inward beauty

Soon the flames passed, and the petals still pulled tight. Unaware that it was now safe

to open Soon the rains came with their cool and soothing kisses Cleansing the wounds,

cooling the heat that still lingered. The flower cried tears of its own

within this cool relief,  Unfurled at last, the flower stretched to feel the soothing Son

A different kind of heat, with His healing touch, soothed the weary bloom

Kissed away the scorched petals and tended every wound.

The Son is our Lord Jesus Christ, and He ever stands watch in our trials

Making us stronger, making us truer, making us grow in the flames

And this tender young flower, she is you, she is me. And we can trust His Beautiful hand,

to guide sustain, protect, and free us  When engulfed by the brandishing flames

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! ² “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. ³ “For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43)

Visit my website at carolelhaines.com

or email me at eloracseniah@gmail.com to comment.

Thanks,   Carole L. Haines