The Low Place

In the low place…

The place, where darkness dwells and endless tears fall like tiny diamonds in the rough

Where the heart falters, and hope, is but a distant glimmer, a dream through misty fog…

Have you been to the low place?

Have you been pressed and crushed so deeply that even your cries cannot be uttered? Groans chocked in unspeakable sounds, suppressed down into the pit of the low place…

Where being numb is all you feel. Trying to pray but there are no words …

Child, that’s where I met you on that hill so long ago…

You see I’ve been to the low place and I’ve seen your face…

You have only to look up…

It’s in the low place where surrender is all you have to give…

It’s in the low place where fear must give way to faith…

Mountains tremble and shake…fires are extinguished and waters make flowers bloom in the desert, it’s a place where time and space collide…and even though you want to hide

Behind the shadow of darkness, I, am, there!

For I conquered Hell, Death and the Grave…

Precious one, be brave…You are not alone…

For it’s in the low place you will gain

New Joy, New Strength, a New name…

Life, everlasting life, was born on the low place of that cross I bore for you…

Do not despair, and don’t give up!

Look up, and give a sacrifice of praise…

Open your mouth and SING, let my Angels bring…

Refreshing and restoration out of the low place

And in this spring, living waters will fill you with a glorious renewal for your soul…

Be Bold! Step into the light…

Open the windows of your heart; come out of the night…

Little one, you’re going to be alright…

Laughter and rejoicing will flood the low place

With my all sufficient amazing Grace…

I want to see you face to face…

The night is over and the dawn is breaking…

Rejoice! Rejoice! And again, I say rejoice!

Sorrow is for the night, but JOY comes in the morning!!

Child, it’s morning!!! Get up!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 28, 2020

Psalm 30:1-12 The Living Bible

I will praise you, Lord, for you have saved me from my enemies. You refuse to let them triumph over me. O Lord my God, I pleaded with you, and you gave me my health again. You brought me back from the brink of the grave, from death itself, and here I am alive!

Oh, sing to him you saints of his; give thanks to his holy name. His anger lasts a moment; his favor lasts for life! Weeping may go on all night, but in the morning, there is joy.

In my prosperity I said, “This is forever; nothing can stop me now! The Lord has shown me his favor. He has made me steady as a mountain.” Then, Lord, you turned your face away from me and cut off your river of blessings. Suddenly my courage was gone; I was terrified and panic-stricken. I cried to you, O Lord; oh, how I pled: “What will you gain, O Lord, from killing me? How can I praise you then to all my friends? How can my dust in the grave speak out and tell the world about your faithfulness? Hear me, Lord; oh, have pity and help me.” Then he turned my sorrow into joy! He took away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy so that I might sing glad praises to the Lord instead of lying in silence in the grave. O Lord my God, I will keep on thanking you forever!