Blood-Bought Bare

Face full of make up

Troubled brow

Then tears of terror, sheer fear

Mascara covering up the blows

Full face crying

Nobody wins.

Face full of make up

Perfectly set

Then tears of joy, rolling free

Mascara smeared, but blotted back

Full face smiling

Joy wins.

Face full of make up

Perfectly set

Then tears of pain, childbirth pain

Mascara fades into motherhood

Full face laboring

Deliverance wins.

Face full of make up

Perfectly set

Then tears of grief, heaving sobs

Mascara gone, waterproof failed

Full face weeping

Sadness wins.

Face full of make up

Haphazardly set

Then tears of pride, grandma kind

Mascara overrated, gray mixed in

Full face singing

Love wins.

Face full of make up

Elderly brow

Then tears of loss, severed heart

Mascara made for this earth

Full face looking unto Jesus

Death wins.

Face full of tears

Streaming, dripping off your chin

Tears of every kind

Mascara no match

Full face of humanity

The earth wins.

Sometimes tears are acid

Sometimes a healing balm

Sometimes unable to breathe

Sometimes inviting calm

Sometimes a welcome relief

Mostly a curse, the Fall

Face full of tears

Before the Heavenly Throne

And then, a Shepherd

With God-like Hands

Scarred and pierced Hands

The wiping of every tear begins

Til there are no more tears

No more crying

No more pain

The old order of things, passed

Leaving us blood-bought bare

Making all things new again

Faces covered ever gently by

The radiance of His light

The strength of His might

The victory of the fight

No more death, made new with Life

God wins.

God always, always wins.

16 September 2019

Morning

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘He will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ”

Revelation 7:17 NIV

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:3-5 NIV