Beryl

 

 

I knew quite a few Beryls

But none as threatening as this,

Given all the news we’re receiving

This Beryl tops the list.

 

She is storming right now

Heading directly for Bim

And by the time she reaches here

She’ll be a powerful wind.

 

A category 2 or 3 hurricane

Is no longer a storm,

It is looking quite grim right now

Fellow citizens, be warned!

 

Beryl is different, I tell you,

Coming this early in June,

Not veering north like most storms

But a southerly typhoon.

 

 

 

Like Janet in this regard

Way back in 1955

And the conditions in our waters

Causing her to thrive.

 

Here are two things to do:

Prepare and pray,

And as you do this for yourself

Help somebody in the way.

 

For there’s no guarantee

Even when you pray,

Trust God regardless of outcomes

For this is the best way.

 

Some will rebuke Beryl

And order her back to hell,

For those who will pray in this way

I can only wish them well.

 

This Beryl is not a friend

So do not take a chance

Believing prayer will turn her away

Or even halt her advance.

 

Notice how outside feels?

The calm before the storm?

Take it seriously, I would advise;

Again, I say be warned.

 

Those that often yearn

To experience a hurricane,

Beryl’s a chance you will this time;

She could be insane.

 

A category 2 or 3 hurricane

Is nothing to long for,

Yearning to experiencing such

Is like inviting a war.

 

Beryl, I really wish

That you would stay away,

You’re nothing like any Beryl I knew

On any given day.

 

Your intent is to damage

While their intent was to help

But then again you can never feel

The way any Beryl felt.

 

 

Dear God I now pray

For all within Beryl’s scope,

However grim things may seem

In You is our hope.

 

Protect us from Beryl,

From the scourge of her wind

And help us to trust in you, Lord,

Even as the light grows dim.

 

Help the elderly and sick

That are on their own

And be a comfort and companion

To those who are alone.

 

Thanks for these heads-up

Re this oncoming storm,

And help us to act in accordance

With having been warned.

 

This I ask in Jesus’ name

For all and sundry alike

And as we traverse this experience,

Order our steps aright.

 

Stewart Russell © June 29, 2024

 

Trust God Regardless of Outcomes

 

 

An extraordinary year

In so many ways,

2020 has been problematic

Almost every day.

 

Ordinarily we do not know

What a day will bring

But it has been exceptional

Regarding 2020’s sting.

 

The greatest sting of all

No doubt, has been COVID

And at the end of the year

It will be stinging still.

 

Our faith has been tested

In more ways than one

And over the year

Some loved ones have gone.

 

It is quite normal

For old stalwarts to pass on

But this year our hearts hurt

For some children are gone.

 

The Wesleyan church family

Has taken a hard hit

And two of their deceased

Were not even sick.

 

 

Two died at the hands

Of deranged human beings,

Numbered among the murders

We’ve been recently seeing.

 

 

The others confronted challenges

To which they would finally yield,

Prayers went up aplenty

But they were not healed.

  

Which brings me to the title

Of this present poem

That seeks to enlighten us

When we lack understanding.

 

It is hard for a child

When a mother or father dies,

But this is the accepted norm

Which no one denies.

 

 

But when the child passes

There is so much more grief

That it is a very long time

Before the parents find relief.

 

No parent looks forward

To burying a child

But I can recall five such cases

That 2020 provides.

 

Christoff and Tanya:

Two by the murdered route,

Sharika, Joshua and Shaunelle:

Sickness took them out.

 

Regarding the sick ones

No doubt there were prayers

Like I said, prayers aplenty

Each and every day.

 

 

There were prayers for healing

Believing God would hear

But all three of them died

Yet God was there.

 

Was our God unable

To heal these lovely children?

For, if in fact he was,

Then we have a problem.

 

Clearly, He was not

But he allowed them to die

And do not expect me to explain

Because I do not know why.

 

We could beat up our chest

For not praying enough

But I must admit

I no longer believe that stuff.

 

Yes, I am still at a loss

Why some die and some are healed

But to the Sovereign God

I continue to yield.

 

I have moved past clichés

Like God knows what is best

For while that is the truth

It does not ease the stress.

 

I know some will rebuke me

And question my faith

But in every believer, there is doubt

If only but a trace.

 

I think the key is to be real

And not pretending to be strong

For the “fake it, make it” crowd

Will always be wrong.

 

Trust Almighty God

Regardless of the outcome

And never in any circumstance

Ahead of Him run.

 

He does not need our help

Only our childlike trust,

And he will do what pleases Him

Even when we pray up a fuss.

 

Put your confidence in God

Not in your prayers

And remember, whatever the outcome,

Our God always cares.

 

Be confused if you must

But don’t ever give up hope,

Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ

Is our only way to cope.

 

There’s much we don’t understand

First, we must admit

Then trust God to move us on

Rather than to quit.

 

To the memory of:

 Christoff and Tanya,

Joshua, Shaunelle and Sherika

 

To their parents,

To all relatives and friends

And to every reader,

Trust God regardless of outcomes

 

Stewart Russell © November 25, 2020