Endurance

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.” Luke 21:5-19


Endurance

There are days when nothing's left
falling asleep and waking with tears
holding on for dear life and praying
that the next lap might be a bit easier.

Pain and stiffness well up within me
there is no one but me alone here
the water covers me over completely
am I swimming or drowning today?

The psalmist words ring true today
"Are your wonders known in the darkness,
or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness? "
there seems to be nothing left except fumes.

You O Lord has promised to buoy me up
to keep me from sinking into the deep
you have promised strength upon strength
but I am broken, going slower with each turn.

Return to me O my loving Creator
who formed me perfectly within my mother
you have  planted me on this round earth
and it is you who made me able to leap every hurdle.

Abide again in this aging and sinful frame
I have served you from my very early years
joy has come and go but I have not
lift me up in these deep waters today.