Grace and mercy

Grace, mercy, its new each day.

Well that’s what they say but how is that the case when I’m waking up in pain.

 Waking up to a world filled with hatred each and every day.

Each and every day a new hashtag for another black man that was killed.

 No time to mourn, too busy trying to keep mine safe, too busy trying to educate.

Keep your hands where they can see them at ALL times.

Grace, mercy it’s new each day.

That’s what they say, but how does that apply to me when I’m slaving at this job and I can’t even make my ends meet.

 In this place of stress and anxiety wondering if I’m gonna have enough food for me and my son to eat.

Grace, mercy it’s new each day, but what about those days I prayed for the rain, so nobody could see my tears.

The darkest nights so I could hide from my fears.

But you know I couldn’t stay here, I couldn’t stay in the place.

God promised me the abundant life, and this was not it.

 You see I thought I needed something new.

 I was asleep with my eyes wide open, when all I really needed was you.

 I needed to refocus, wake up and really see you.

 I needed to stop watering other people’s grass and wondered why mine wasn’t growing or even green.

I was carrying all these burdens looking for a miracle and trying to fix it on my own.

The miracle was there all along.

 Cast your cares on the Lord, for he careth for you!

God’s grace and mercy was there all along, it’s what got me through.

It wasn’t until he brought me out, that I was able to understand why I even went through.

It was to see his Grace and his mercy, which is new each and every day.

And that’s what I say.

I wrote this poem back in late March, early April. I had to “perform” a piece at an event and I just let my pen flow. God really deals with me through my writing, that’s why I write. I don’t always share my poems because “I’m and artist and I’m sensitive about my stuff”.

I’m sharing this one because I feel it is very relevant. We’re all watching black people murdered and beaten in the street, almost daily. While dealing with our own situations, and trying to help others and maintain and operate in our daily life.  I’ve had people ask me “where is God during all this? ““Is the devil this prevalent on earth?”

The devil walks the earth like a lion seeking whom he may devour. He’s out there doing what he does. We have to remember that God is also here doing what he does. Scripture tells us to look to the hills from which cometh our help. We are told to seek the kingdom of God. We are told to constantly seek his (God’s) face. God knew that social media would become what it is, and possibly become a major distraction to many of us. Social media has many pros and cons, but having access to it at all times can cause us to lose our focus and cause us to question “where is God”. God knew exactly what each of us would go through that’s why we are told repeatedly to trust in the Lord our God. It’s not always easy to trust God, especially when you’re operating with your limited knowledge and sight. God literally does the impossible and until you believe that, it will be hard to trust him.

I can’t go out to every city and protest and march, I can’t help every young mother or young girl or boy. What I can do is use my experiences and my words to try to encourage and share and hopefully inspire. Take responsibility of your influence, no matter how big or small, you can make a difference, and if nothing else God hears your prayers.

If you love someone tell them,

I love you

Destaynee