Poems from Still Waters Running Deep presents a collection of poetry written by author Emma McClain over a period of forty years. Penned at various stages of her life, they echo the thoughts, feelings, and transitions of those moments. She touches on topics ranging from experiencing her freedom from her mother for the first time in "Farewell Song" to marveling at the fact she has found with her one true love in "My Man" She also carefully examines her relationship with God and the depth of his loving-kindness.

Poems From Still Waters Running Deep

By Emma Mcclain

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Emma Mcclain
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-4902-8

Contents

Chapter One

        My Victory Song


    They say I am a gentle person,
    Would never say words that were unkind.
    They've never seen one so forgiving,
    That I always have that peace of mind.
    But, Lord, they've never seen the tempest
    That once raged deep inside of me.
    Can't they see I'm not that gentle person?
    But it's Your Spirit that abides in me.

    They say I am a noble person,
    That I always do the thing that's right,
    My ideals and thoughts above reproach.
    I'm not the one to take duties light.
    But, Lord, what of times we struggled,
    The times I sought to know what was right?
    Don't they know it's only through the yielding
    That I can keep Your way in sight?

    They say I am a steadfast person,
    Never straying from the narrow way.
    My feet are sure, my pace is steady.
    Even in night I see the dawn of day.
    But, Lord, there were times I was so lost,
    And darkness hid Your face from me.
    Don't they know how I'd crumble without You?
    Don't they see Your steady hand on me?

    They say I'm a victorious person,
    Courageous during battle with the foes.
    They say I'm sure of Your love for me.
    The prize is mine wherever I go.
    But, Lord, they don't know the depths we've been at
    Before Your assurance of love seeped in,
    Nor how many battles I really lost
    Before I gained the first victory win.

    Lord, You are my spirit so gentle
    That brings peace that dwells inside of me.
    Lord, You are my noble intentions
    That keep me steadfast to what I see.
    Lord, You are my light in darkness,
    My hope in a world that's gone all wrong.
    When defeat and weakness overwhelm me,
    Dear Lord, You are my victory song.


      I Am Christian

    I am Christian. I am His.
    His child I will always be.
    I might be rich, maybe poor
    But I have God inside me.
    I might struggle, may have faults
    But my future is the same.
    I'm God's child, will always be,
    That's the power in His name.

    He sees the beauty in me
    While I don't know how or why,
    Even when I'm the reason
    For the very tears I cry.
    The world may call me loser;
    I'm His child in the making.
    I can't help but win victory
    When Christ does all the shaping.

    I am Christian. I am His.
    Although broken I might be.
    When I fall, He helps me stand,
    For He's not finished with me.
    As I grow, His grace allows
    This very imperfect soul
    To be made in His image.
    I press onward to this goal.


       Reaching His Side

    I have glimpsed the life that God lives through me.
    I have been changed by His Spirit, you see.
    I have turned my cheek when others took aim.
    I have loved the loveless with love in His name.

    I chose not to live as others might say,
    Proudly proclaiming to do it their way.
    What trophy is there near the end of day?
    To do what I want, where's the joy, I say.

    I chose to live by giving up my will,
    Listening closely, His words quiet and still.
    So choosing to follow by putting aside
    All that would hinder reaching His side.


      Shepherd and Lamb

    Could You use me for Your kingdom
    Even if I am deaf and dumb?
    Could You use me for Your glory,
    So others can see You through me?

    Could You shape me to be like You,
    In all the ways I think and do?
    Could You break down my walls so tall,
    Pick me up when I try and fall?

    May Your Spirit cleanse sins away,
    As I follow You every day.
    Could You use me just as I am,
    You the shepherd, I as Your lamb?

    And He answers that yes He will.
    The only wall would be my will.
    He'll gladly use me as I am,
    He is the shepherd, and I'm His lamb.


        God's Children


        Some of God's Children

    Some of God's children
      Live in fancy houses.
    Some of God's children
      May live on ghetto streets.
    Some of God's children
      Might wear fancy blouses.
    Some of God's children
      Have no shoes for their feet.
    But all of God's children
      Have grace beyond measure.
    And for all of God's children,
      Heaven holds their treasure.

    Some of God's children
      Are called to be preachers.
    Some of God's children
      Always lend helping hands
    Some of God's children
      Are Sunday school teachers.
...