Grace

Grace


I am a mortal human being ensnared by my sin.
I am broken, I'm bleeding, I'm dying within.
Aimlessly I wonder down pathways so wide.
Guided only by my selfish ambitions and pride.

I am running in circles.
My clothing is rags.
My life lies in shambles,
Unworthy, condemned are my tags.

As my footing gives way,
And I fall to the floor.
My will has been defeated.
My strength is no more.

Ashamed with myself,
I bowed my head.
As my life flashed before me,
These simple words I said.

Dear Father, please save me,
Form my helpless state.
I am certain the fires of hell,
Are my fate.

I am running in circles.
My clothing is rags.
My life lies is in shambles,
Unworthy, condemned are my tags.

Kneeling beside me,
His eyes filled with tears.
As He beheld the helplessness,
That defined all my years.

My child He said,
His voice soft and low.
You have been forgiven,
Now rise up and go.

As I rose to my feet,
And lifted my head
He gave me a gift
To be opened and said,

This gift that I give you,
Is the gift of my grace.
Unmerited favor,
For my Son took your place.

It matters not the mistakes,
That have cluttered your past.
This gift of my grace,
Is a gift that will last.

Through all of life's trials,
And all your mistakes,
My grace is sufficient,
For my Son took your place.

When He hung on the cross
Of mount Calvary,
The blood He shed,
Was blood spilled for thee.

You stand now before me,
Washed in that crimson tide.
Your rags of shame my dear child,
Are now purified.

This one thing I ask,
As you go forth today.
Share this gift with another,
Weary soul on your way.

Give them the the message,
Of my forgiveness so fair.
Assure them my favor,
Will always be there.

It matters not the mistakes,
That have cluttered their past.
This gift of my grace,
Is a gift that will last.

Through all of life's trials
And all their mistakes
My grace is sufficient
For my Son took their place.

This gift that I offer,
Is given in love.
To every soul searching,
For hope from above.

Carry this gift,
To every dark place.
My unmerited favor,
The gift of my grace.


© Melissa Melvin 2010

Faith Like a Child

Faith Like a Child

Lord, grant me the faith like a child
To hold fast unto your word.
To rest upon your promise
Amidst the shadows of life’s darkness.

Lord, grant me the faith like a child
To place my dreams into your hands.
To trust your understanding;
Not what I alone can comprehend

Lord, grant me the faith like a child
To stand boldly for your truth.
To rise above this world’s commands
And live out my days for you.

Lord, grant me the faith like a child
To keep my eyes upon your throne.
To view these earthly moments,
As stepping-stones toward Home.

©Melissa Melvin 2009

The comfort of Christ

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

This poem was started quite some time ago, and for some reason I could never find the words to finish it. These last few weeks have been quite painful for me physically speaking. It is in times like this that I find myself clinging all the harder to faith, yet desiring so much to figure out some of its mysteries. Psalm 46:10 come to mind tonight as I pondered the purpose in the pain. This is what followed.

Be Still

Questions whirl about me
Waves of doubt and fear
Yet in this stone cold midnight,
A gentle voice I hear.

The words are whispered softly,
So much softer then my fears.
But, the message that is spoken
Rings clearly in my ears.

Though the darkness does surround you,
And tears well in your eyes.
Rest assured dear child,
I am listening to your cries.

Though the future seems uncertain,
And pain your heart does sear.
Rest in me dear child,
Be still and know I’m here.

Floods may rise against you;
Dark clouds may loom above
But, there is safety while abiding
In your Father’s arms of love.

So look beyond the shadows;
Beyond your circumstantial fears
Fix your eyes on Heaven
Be still and know I’m here.

Melissa Melvin 2008 ©

The Power of a Moment

"Some people come in and out of our lives so fast we hardly notice they're there. Some people come in and leave footprints in our hearts and we are never ever the same!"

So it was on this day three years ago, when unexpectedly I crossed paths with Morgan Reynolds. With one simple web search, a couple intentional clicks of my mouse, and by doing nothing more than gazing upon a newly taken portrait of this beautiful, 15-month old baby girl my life was changed forever.

It was as if in that moment, I was being faced with the meaning, and the miracle of life from so many different angles all at once. By looking into those clear blue eyes I was gazing upon an innocence that was so pure there were no words to contain it.

Those gemlike blue eyes also told the heartbreaking story of this fallen world, the story of suffering. That beautiful portrait captured the breathtaking smile of a little girl who, in her 15 months of life, had already endured more suffering then most people will endure in their entire lifetime.

Her smile was contagious; her story so compelling I could not turn aside. The image of this beautiful little girl had been grafted into my memory; her name etched on my heart forever. As I unlocked the door of my heart to this beautiful, perfect stringer, on this monumental day three years ago, I also unlocked the door, and ushered myself into the frightening, unfamiliar world of Mitochondrial disease. And I met heartache on a level that I had never know before.

Now, three years later, I can honestly say, that even in having to endure the pain of saying an earthy goodbye to sweet Morgan, this journey of love has been worth every moment, and I would take these steps 10,000 times over again.

Never underestimate the power of a moment for it is fleeting and fragile.

Earth Angels

With smiles so contagious,
And their spirits soaring free,
Though the earthly tents they dwell in
Are fading rapidly.

Each day they give reminders
Of what it means to truly live;
To hold to on to a strong sure hope,
To others freely give.

The gem of true contentment
That shines within their eyes,
Is a treasure that this is seldom seen,
In our self-centered lives.

They live in full submission,
To the purpose they’ve been called.
With a love without condition,
They sacrifice their all.

©Melissa Melvin 2008

Plight of the Orphan

Heartbroken, helpless, and stunned I sat glued to my computer screen as the headlines of the day scrolled before my eyes. Many of the headlines in recent days have saddened me but, none more then those that speak of harm and tragedy befalling children.
These cut like a freshly sharpened knife straight to the core of being. Headlines such as: China estimates 400,000 orphaned in earthquake. I have no words for such things, only helpless heartbreak.

Yet, in the midst there is eternal hope. For God is Sovran. Not one of these children has been plucked from His hand. May each one of them come to the life giving knowledge of the unconditional love that their heavenly father has for them.

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:15

Plight of the Orphan

As I lie upon my bed,
My heart just breaks in two.
With thoughts of orphaned children,
Lord, their hearts cry out to you.

They’re lost and feeling lonely.
They’re broken and afraid.
Living in this cold, dark world,
With the few friends that they’ve made.

Their lives are lived in daydream.
Their hops are all but gone.
Yet, somehow they still find the strength,
To get up and press on.

In their heart of hearts they wonder,
As tears well in their eyes.
Is anybody listening
To my heartfelt pleading cries?

Does anybody love me?
Does anybody care?
Is anybody listening?
Is anybody there?

You oh Lord, are listening.
You hear all of their cries.
You count every drop that falls,
From their tear stained eyes.

You have called us as your people
Love’s message to convey.
To enter into their dark
And illuminate their way.

To embrace the broken hearted.
To bring ease unto their fears
To rejoice within their victories
To dry their hopeless tears

To live lives full of mercy,
Of compassion and of grace.
To lead them by example
To the thrown of endless praise.

May we heed your loving call oh Lord,
Your message spoken clear.
May we follow in your footsteps,
And draw these children near.

©Melissa Melvin2008

For a Friend in Christ

Walk of Faith

Life is joy and life is pain.
A journey of loss, yet eternal gain.

Tonight joy and sorrow walk hand in hand.
Yet in God’s unending love you’ll stand.

In the comfort of his warm embrace,
You’ll lift your eyes from this dark place.

And find anew his mercy,
And his all-sufficient grace.

To sustain you on this journey
Until at last you see his face

When he’ll wipe away your final tear
And his loving voice will befall your ear.

Saying, well done,
Thou good and faithful one.


©Melissa Melvin 2008

Poetry of the Present

This was written in the early hours of today as the difficult moments of yesterday faded into the past, and I called to mind what I know to be true.

The Journey

The arms of my savior
Are strong and secure.
Though broken and feeble,

Of this I am sure.

His grace is sufficient.
His word will remain,
Yesterday; today;
Forever the same.

One day these calamities
Will fade to the past.
And I’ll be caught up forever,
In all that will last.

So, I’ll press on in this journey
For the Prize that’s in store
When this race I have won,
And time is no more.

©Melissa Melvin 2008

Poetry Of The Past

I always enjoyed creative writing in school, though I never considered myself to be very good at it After graduation writing was put on the back burner as I changed my focus form my grades to getting to Romania. If was not until the early part of 2006 that I really discovered the power of writing, and the impact that it can have both on the writer, and his or her audience. I began with poetry that was influenced by the life and legacy of Morgan Reynolds. Today, my writings encompass many different topics all pertaining to life with faith as I experience it. Over the next few entries I will share some of my earliest writings. Thanks for Reading.

God of Love

God of love you know my name.
You’ve seen my tears,
And felt my pain.

You know my heart,
From inside out.
What my life is all about.

You came to earth for me to die.
That I might have,
Eternal life.

Let me take this gift of grace
And live me life
To give you praise

That others might,
See your face.
And know you're a God of Love.

©Melissa Melvin 2006

We Pray for Children

I first saw this framed, and sitting on a small corner bookshelf in a Romanian apartment. The setting added depth to these words. May we Pray for the children of the world.



We pray for children
who put chocolate fingers everywhere,
who like to be tickled,
who stomp in puddles and ruin their pants,
who sneak popsicles before supper,
who erase holes in math workbooks,
who can never find their shoes.


And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
who never "counted potatoes,"
who were born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,
who never go to the circus,
who live in a X-rated world.

We pray for childrenwho bring us sticky kisses and handfuls of dandelions,
who "sleep with the dog" and "bury goldfish,"
who "hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money,"
who cover themselves with Band-aids and sing, off-key,
who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink.

And we pray for those who never get dessert,
who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
who can't find any bread to steal,
who don't have any room to clean up,
whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,
whose monsters are real.

We pray for childrenwho spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
who throw tantrums in grocery store and pick at their food,
who like ghost stories,
who shove dirty clothes under the bed,
who get visits from the tooth fairy,
who don't like to be kissed in front of the car pool,
who squirm in church or temple and scream in the phone,
whose tears we sometimes laugh at,
and whose smiles can make us cry.

And we pray for childrenwhose nightmares come in the daytime,
who will never hear anything,
who have never seen a dentist,
who aren't spoiled by anybody,
who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
who live and move and have no being.

We pray for children
who want to be carried and for those you must,
for those we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance,
for those we smother...
and for those who will grab the hand of anybody
kind enough to offer it.

From A Prayer for Children by Ina Hughs, 1995, by Ina Hughs.