My Little Boat

Is 'faith' an easy word to say?
Step in my little boat.
It's not too much to look at but,
was built, so it could float.

Now hold on tight! We're sailing,
across this mighty sea!
And don't look back like Lot's wife did -
it's just You, God and me.

We know the storm clouds darken.
We know the sea is rough.
We see the storms approaching.
We know it will be tough.

The wind picks up around us -
in torrents, pours the rains -
despite our bailing water out -
the water level gains...

The breaking waves crash over us,
our future starts to dim.
Our work is less than futile but,
our hope resides in Him.

Raging tempests circling in
this blinding, windy squall -
the typhoon winds are deafening -
blowing horizontal.

Rain freezes, pelting bullets -
they stab us like a knife.
Grasping tight to what we can -
we hold on fast to life.

Pulled muscles, cuts and aching joints -
now steal away attention -
spinning, tossing, sea-sick, stunned -
we lose sense of direction.

We cower ever lower then.
Some refuge? There is none.
Our prayers drown in the breaking waves.
Our words lost, every one.

Now most give in about this time -
high hopes, the world sees.
Their dreams are carried off in winds,
their souls to sinful seas.

In life, we've often sacrificed -
but our life, never gave.
We just get blown around a bit -
and tossed from wave to wave.

But now alone, we shiver -
and drenched so thorough, wet -
stunned speechless, we both see, a
familiar silhouette.

Saving us from certain death,
with grace for all who sinned -
and walking on the water now,
He calms the sea and wind.

Life's futile ocean's much too wide -
for tiny boat and I -
but God gives grace to everyone -
whose faith is not a lie.

Is 'faith' an easy word to say?
Step in my little boat.
It's not too much to look at but,
with faith, will stay afloat...

This poem was a finalist in the May 2011 poetry contest