Battle Weary

Tonight I just want to lay down my sword

and curl up in a sheltered spot,

far away from the line of fire.

I want the quiet that comes after

battle has ended to seep through my soul

and remind me of

perfect peace.

In these wars of words, jab after jab,

wounds sliced deep, volumes rise

and listening ceases--

there are no winners.

We twist and dance around our guilt,

our culpability, looking

to lay all blame on the shoulders

of the other.

It proves fruitless, futile for each, as any

gained ground is

lost amid the  ruins of

relationship.

Lord, I am weary of the

verbal violence, the mental maneuvering,

and the spiritual sparring

that leaves me broken and spent,

And leaves my family quaking and quivering

in the aftermath.

We are worn out, used up,

our reserve troops too beleagured

to stand and fight another battle

against

one another.

We wage war against the very ones we love,

too stubborn and self-righteous

to let it go,

to let it go.

Abba, shelter me.  Hold us, Daddy.

Remind us

that You have peace planned

for us

 if

we just let it go.