If never a bruised reed you are

Then Christ and His heart may be far

For brokenness does bring a sweet scent

That multiplies Christ while He sifts.

 

When needs come to sudden manifest

In people who perhaps are your test

Reminders of a lingering bruise

Will keep you in a tender King’s use.

 

For hardness of reeds can be sharp

With splinters that break and do lodge

In hearts that need gentle hands

That lead them to freedom’s homeland.

 

Where pastures are greener and lush

Where shadows of death are there crushed

Where preparing a table He does

For enemy’s that do need your love.

 

So perhaps the reed seems now torn

Of no use to your heart so scorned

But His eyes are kind and does see

A wind blown and tender bruised reed.

 

And when now He sends a new heart

Whose crushed, broken, and harmed

You’ll reach down and share now your scars

And walk beside those in the dark.

 

Jan 5, 2018