Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down . . .

How do you rebuild a bridge that's been burned?
grieving in the ashes since October
on that crisp day when I had to be the grown up
caught between the boulders of
consequences and empathy
strattling the line between
leadership and love
teetering on the edge of
discipline and grace
like a squirrel on a high wire
all the while looking to You
for the answers
juggling until I dropped one
the effects should have been simple
quick pain like tearing off a band-aid
the scab would heal, and we would move on
instead the pain spread like an oil spill
and she was just trying to swim
and keep her head above water
Lord, the ashes may be too scattered to recover
the bridge may never be rebuilt
but wherever You lead her
after the tassle turns
and the diploma goes into storage
bless her with Your peace
may her talent, her passion
her strong will and unending potential
add beauty to this world
and bring glory to You
her creator, her friend,
and the only teacher
who will never let her down.

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 cor 4:8-9