Lord,

They never told me I would be
Left to wander alone.
At least that's how it felt to me:
Bereft, distant, alone.

I wandered there for many years
Not sure of where You were.
Although I searched with fervent tears
And strained to hear Your word,

I never felt Your presence
So I stumbled on, alone.
Surely I had tried Your patience
So often, You were gone.

Alas, it was not so, I find!
For I see the promised land.
Oh! To know I will not die
In this barren, acrid sand!

Discipline should find a place
Within Your hallowed walls
And all Your children given grace
To know about these falls.

How testing faith along the way
Will grow my maturity,
And even when I go astray
You will come and rescue me!

I'll find a power most divine
Through continued discipleship.
Contentment's treasured find
Is hidden in fellowship

With the God of all creation.
You never left my side!
Through all of my frustrations
You became my guide,

Showing me a deeper place
Than I had ever been before.
This God of such amazing grace
Shines through me all the more!