Carrying On In Silence

"Then he said to all, 'If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?" 1

"But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you…But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you…But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." 2

Clutched Beneath The Cloak

Beneath the cloak of silence held,
I clutch my cross of jagged steel:
My state of heart is not dispelled;
Only my God knows how I feel.

This silence frees the other's heart,
From the burden of my complaint;
And selfish whining cannot start,
When silence holds my tongue's restraint.

I clutch my cross and agonize;
Accepting the hand I've been dealt:
This keeps my cross a compact size;
My wound remains a minor welt.

Then God grants me the grace I need,
To move beyond the moment's weight;
To do His will in word and deed
Becomes my focus in this state.

For God's will orders all for good,
And ev'ry burden has its place.
When viewed with love, it's understood,
That ev'ry cross is borne by grace.

Beneath this cloak, my cross and I,
Follow the Lord sure-footedly.
With each struggle, we will get by;
With grace we'll find serenity.





(c) Paul Buis, 2002

_________________________
1. Luke 9:23-25
2. Matthew 6:3-4,7,17-18