Once, I surrendered my heart and soul,
Body and mind,
I rose up from the water
And felt free.
I thought that’s all I had to do,
But I find myself enslaved again.
Enough for salvation
Not enough for living
Not enough for giving
To the one whom I owe everything.
I didn’t realize surrender
Is an everyday thing
So daily I try to remind myself
To once again give myself,
My wants and dreams,
My dearest cares,
To the one who can give me everything;
And to rise up from the living water
Free.

This cancer devours me, leaving no trace
Of beauty that might have resided there –
Naught left inside me but this hollow place

Of shame. With you, whose burdens I would bear,
I want so desperately to share a taste
Of beauty. That might have resided there

Once, ages hence, yet now I am a shell;
And what have I to share with you but fear?
I want so desperately to share a taste

Of heaven’s love. My heart, with this thought near,
Awakens. Needy, then I have to sing
Of what I want to share with you. But fear

Consumes me even when I try to cling
To one who knows me. This hole in my heart
Awakens need, and then I have to sing

At first, lament, and then “How Great Thou Art” –
This anthem devours me leaving no other trace
Than the One who knows the whole of my heart –
Naught left inside me but this holy grace.