Up From The Ashes

   This heart once innocent
trusted love, believed hope, let faith, and held truth
This heart was pure and simple
But time matured, knowledge shone,
and thus awakened self
Fear then ruled, with shame, confused
to lay this pearl amid the ashes.
   This heart then young
embraced love, envisioned hope, kept faith,
and followed truth
This heart was strong and sure
But time matured, knowledge shone,
and thus awakened self
Fear then ruled, with shame, confused
to lay this pearl beneath the ashes.
   This heart now broken
remembers love, recalls hope, mends faith,
and grasps truth
This heart is humbled low
Time is full, wisdom speaks, self is ceased to rule
With grace revealed, Christ does reign
to raise this pearl from the ashes. Amen.