Armor
I got my armor today
belt
breastplate
spike shoes
shield
helmet
sword
all so shiny
so fancy
It’s all a little heady
I twirl around
holding my shield in one hand
waving my sword about with the other
Thank You, my King
for my commission in Your army
but am I combat-ready?
I’ve been dragging my armor around
some pieces on
some pieces hanging off
nothings as shiny
I forgot my helmet
and spent days trying to remember
who I was
whose I was
When I grew tired of carrying that big shield
I spent the day pinned down behind a rock
as flaming arrows of accusation
whizzed by my ears
and singed my hair
just before darkness fell
the King rode up
plucked me from my hiding place
seated me on His steed
no one mentioned my missing shield
or burn holes in my tunic
“My child, be wise.”
He said softly as he let me down
my cheeks grew warm
the most humiliating blow came today
I slid down a slippery slope
landed on my backside
insufficient spikes in my shoes
I’m waiting now to meet with the King
I’m sure He’s upset
I’m a failure
but if I can’t be a soldier for the King,
who would I be?
my thoughts drift to the King
brave in battle, strong, majestic
sometimes terrifying
to His enemies
Then I remember
He is a tender Father
loving husband
kind Master
soft-hearted lover of children
a lamb
as I remember
a great wind blows open the shutters
sunlight bathes the great hall
“Abba! Abba!”
I run to Him
“I’m so sorry.”
tears soak my cheeks
“Can you forgive me?”
“My child,”
He calls me by my special name
the name He gave me
I sit with Him in His big chair
He gently holds my face to His
I breathe in His familiar scent
resting in His embrace
I exchange my tears of failure
for His unconditional, never-failing love
I awoke
covered by my favorite blanket
the sun far spent
He never spoke to me of my failures
rather He met me
in the early morning
patiently teaching me of the armor
about the enemy
how each piece was designed
how each piece could protect
He helped me strengthen my arms
to carry the shield of faith
He taught me how to add spikes to my shoes
to hold my ground
He helped me wield my sword
with strength and accuracy
I became a great warrior
I will never forget how ineffective
I was
I am
without armor
nor shall I forget the weapons
are for standing
the battle is His
He is my Protector
my Fortress
my High Tower
my Stronghold
my Deliverer
Blessed be the name of the King of Kings
Commander of the angel armies
Champion of the sons and daughters of God
Copyright 2018 MaryBeth Mullin
