As I look at this younger generation, I’m reminded of who I used to be. I see myself in them, searching, longing, desperate for love and attention. I spent years trying to fill that emptiness. I chased it through drugs, partying, drinking, and relationship after relationship with men and women, but nothing ever satisfied. The void only grew deeper.

Yet through it all, there was One who never stopped pursuing me. No matter how far I wandered or how deep I fell into sin, He never gave up on me. When I finally surrendered, everything changed. There truly are no words to fully describe Him. The love, the peace, the wholeness He brings, it goes beyond any human language can express.

My prayer is that this next poem encourages you to do the same: to let go, to give in, and to fully surrender your life to Jesus.

I Own it. Thank you.

What I wanted I did not find, and I looked in all the wrong places.

Running and ended up running into those same laughing faces.

All I wanted was something I never had before.

I wanted to be healed from this disease that I’ve endured.

I searched and searched and found myself in a pit.

The pain I had, oh, how I tried to get rid of it.

I didn’t listen when He whispered,

I can help you climb out of it.

For so many years, I have done things my way

And never cared to hear what He had to say.

But finally, I surrendered, and I said,

Lord, take this pain that I’ve bestowed upon me before I end up dead!

So, He spoke.

I’ve had what you wanted.

I’ve been holding what you hunted.

Do you want a little taste, or will you just let it go to waste?

Come, Desirée, and take what I have.

Believe me, after I am through with you, Satan will be extremely mad.

So, I took a taste of His kind of meal.

And no words can describe what I feel!

It smells, feels, and tastes so good that I just can’t explain!

You, reader, will know what I mean by just saying His name!

I felt a quiver.

My whole body shivered.

The burden was so light.

My spirit was finally alive.

All my life, I have wanted happiness.

And finally found the one to stop this madness.

Oh Father, forgive me for not going to you first!

I’m sorry, I truly am.

And He said, I don’t know why you went to the worst,

but because I love you, I will give you a helping hand.

Now I have what I long for.

But God said, hold on, I got more!

Giving me joy, He still isn’t done.

He said to me, Desirée I’ve only just begun!

Now I know because I feel it.

And this time I did not have to steal it.

I am finally free.

You broke the chains off my wrist and ankles.

The demons flee.

Their work is finally dismantled.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for what you have given me.

Jesus, You are my Savior.

And He said to me,

No one can resist my flavor!

August 27, 2000