Rebuilding

{published in The World Healing Book, ISBN 997995311-X, © Beyond Borders, 2002}
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"The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem, gathers the dispersed of Israel, Heals the brokenhearted, binds up their wounds…Glorify the LORD, Jerusalem; Zion, offer praise to your God, Who has strengthened the bars of your gates, blessed your children within you, Brought peace to your borders, and filled you with finest wheat." (1)

"Bless the LORD, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God, Who pardons all your sins, heals all your ills, Delivers your life from the pit, surrounds you with love and compassion." (2)

Binding Hearts

O wounded heart, fragile and burned,
Scorched by the raging firestorm
Of grief and loss -- where'er you turned,
Death and destruction was the norm.

Yet something happened on the way
From hell -- a Friend reached out his hand:
His eyes spoke what words could not say;
He quenched the fires that were fanned.

O wounded heart, forever touched,
The healing process can now start.
The rage and fear, which you had clutched,
Are dropped like hot coals from your heart.

Forgiveness fills the opening
Of wounds that winced with loss and grief;
And hope renews with quickening --
Fear is removed like a caught thief.

Compassion binds up brokenness
And builds a bridge of brotherhood.
Reach out with love through the darkness
And love will conquer all for good.

(c) Paul Buis, 2002