Stand By Me

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights.
-Psalm 18:33


Sirens scream around me, uncertainty and self-doubt seeping in my ears. I am tossed in the torment.
Stand by Me.

I am black and blue with life’s bruises. My limbs are weak, each breath a struggle to squeeze from my lungs.
Stand by Me.

Mountains dissolve to the earth, stars shoot fire, and darkness consumes my eyes.
Stand by Me.

I root in the middle of the road, paths sprouting from all directions. None are paved, all overgrown and looming. Not a sign in sight.
Stand by Me.

Life hangs by a silent web, invisible to the naked eye. Frail, frantic, lingering on its line.
Stand by Me.

I feel pressure caving around my soul, chiseling hard and stark realization, a hammer to my heart.
Stand by Me.

Numb. Lord, everything is crashing to my shore in urgent calling.
Fear. I stand at the edge of a canyon and listen to my echoes reverberate against the chasm.
Unknown. I am moving through a midnight marsh that threatens to swallow me, skin to spirit. I cannot be alone. I don’t want to feel surrounded.

Stand by Me.


Prayer:
Father, You are here. Right now. With me. And I need You. Desperately. Hold me in Your mighty arms. Cradle me to Your chest. Rock me to sleep with Your soothing melody.