Deep in the Woods

The words of the doctor, he is, we are,
“still deep in the woods”
A long way from the safety of home
of health, comfort, warmth
no longer in danger

Cold woods, this time of year
struggle to move, in the snow
the cold, air hard to breath
easy to be lost in the woods

Thankful for the metaphor
the healing in the words
because being in the woods
is better than the depths
the valleys, the desert

Woods, even with bramble,
thick forest, can be traversed
a way found out of the woods
back to home and safety
if we follow the path

So are our prayers, our hope
our faith in times of struggle
in the deep woods
That His plan would be worked out
that we would walk the path
laid out for us
through the valleys,
the shadow lands
following Your light, Oh God
knowing that You lead the way home

January 3, 2008