The following is an excerpt I wrote on the plane leaving Guatemala. For a long time I went back and forth one what to write and how to wrap up all the complicated emotions into one post. Eventually I just started typing and what I ended up with, I don’t think I can technically classify as a poem, but it is poetic nonetheless. Here is what spilled out.
More Than Hands Could Hold
As the plane leaves the ground
Departing from the soil that has held me so warmly,
My mind is left to swim with all that has been experienced.
It reminisces on the parts of myself I’m leaving behind,
While also trying to understand the newfound pieces of me that were born.
These gifts are strange.
For what I have picked up in this place is more than hands could hold.
A pot of pure refinement that only the Lord on High could give.
Forged by the fires of sacrifice and love;
Freeing me from my rancid cages,
And setting me to roam in an unfamiliar place
That would quickly feel like home.
Leaning into a band of strangers
That would quickly feel like family.
God you work in strange ways.
Yet blinded by the comforts of where I used to be,
I can’t say I would’ve ever really met you like I have here
In the freckled faces of kids that captured my heart
In the times you’ve held me when I was holding others
In the early mornings on the rooftop
In the tears of the alcoholics
There you took my hand and showed me Kingdom culture
Goodbye frustration
Hello trust in the One who goes before me
Goodbye apathy
Hello tender heartedness
Goodbye comfort
Hello wild abandonment
These are the characteristics
That I will to guide my decisions towards
They are precious to me as I have worked hard to earn them
And will fight with eager persistence to maintain the heavenly creature
He has been forming.
What lies ahead,
I have no idea.
Darkness perhaps,
no most definitely.
But light is sure to rise, for He has already conquered the night.
A warrior is being built in uncertain places.
Father, thank you for choosing me to fight for them.
To love them, cherish them and pray for them as you have.
The nations that form this Earth;
They are yours and you love them so deeply.
Thank you for this gift that goes beyond what my hands could ever hold.
So there it is. My final post on Guatemala. A quick update, we just arrived in Romania a few days ago so more to come on that soon. In the meantime, please be praying for the spirit of hopelessness that resides here. With all the conflict and war, there is evident disparity, so please be praying for this country and our time here.
Much Love- Tris
I love reading your posts! It so inspiring to see how God is working in your life and using you to help others! Love you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Your title, “more than hands could hold “, couldn’t be more accurately titled. In fact, whatever spilled out of your mind, through your fingers, through your pen/fingers on your keyboard, was far more than thoughts in words, but was true poetry, and was divinely inspired. So encouraging, so all capturing of white, our creator/redeemer has been doing in you and through you and around you and in spite of you, Trisa.
“A warrior is being built in uncertain places. “
Sorry, but that was so worth repeating, and really summarizes what God has been doing in a transformational/sanctifying/deep growth, kind of way in your heart my little sister. So proud of you for having a use in your spirit and yielding/submitting to the gentle, but thorough in the working of God, that is ruthlessly committed to making you look more like him
A warrior indeed. Thanks for choosing the way of a poet on your long flight instead of ODing on Netflix 🙂
Awww Trisa, your poem made me cry. I miss you. You express yourself so beautifully. We will miss you as the family comes home for Thanksgiving but wish you His presence wrapped around you in full, as you serve others. God is doing a work in your life and it is inspiring to behold. Love you deeply my precious girl. Prayers and love covering you every step of the way. Love you. Grandma
Tris!! this was so beautiful to read.
My favorite part..
“But light is sure to rise,
for He has already conquered the night.”
I’ve been blessed to witness first hand how you’ve pressed into the hard things as God is refining you.
You are indeed a warrior for His Kingdom, unique and specifically crafted for such a time as this.
I’m honored I know you!!