Beyond the Bows

she is broken and alone,
fist shattering more than bone;
shadow's glance is all she knows,
pain masked behind fancy bows.

she never feels enough,
bleeding shame in the rough;
scarred and bruised from abuse,
she doubts she's any use.

each day a nightmare lived,
life deprived and contrived;
home just a shallow tomb,
dying in sweet perfume.

choking on the love she sought,
blessing's curse her only thought;
joy beaten into submission,
just blinking requires permission.

her hope flees to distant dreams,
no one hears her silent screams;
she is drowning on dry land,
wounded by her husband's hand.

her river - all gloom and doom,
buried by what we assume;
just glancing at her pretty bows,
lost to her woes – we simply doze…

Jesus feels her every blow,
beaten blue so He would know;
shadow's lifted by His grace,
mercy is His kind embrace.

her tears held in nailed pierced hands,
bearing weight of love's demands;
her precious soul healed and sealed
in faithful ways - now revealed.

let's stand beside in more than words,
sharing with her in living verbs;
prepared to wake from all the fake,
in mercy's claim, may we partake.

river of life within our grasp,
yet holding love - we fastly clasp;
true love He gives so we can share,
so be aware, prepared to care.

Note: Too often we do not beyond the pretty bows we see in a woman's hair. Failing to get see the abuse and pain because we are to busy guarding the love we have and covet. God is reckless with His love - prepared to give all in it's pursuit. It is time for us to take a stand - not turning away carelessly, but sharing the river of life graciously gifted to us. Loving not just in words or pretty sentiment but in practical, courageous and transforming ways.

And who knows you might even gain greater insight into the depth of God's love - in ways that may be uncomfortable but glorious!