Via Dolorosa 2016

Beginning - the Lion's Gate 8/8/16


1) Muslim Quarter
condemnation

2) Ecce Homo
Behold the Man

3) First of three falls
>
4) Meeting of the mother
refill / eat

5) Twist in the path
help carrying the burden

6) The veil
to be cleaned
7) Second of three falls
a crossroads

8) Pause to inspire / teach

9) Third of three falls
enter the holy

10 ) To be stripped bare

11) The lynching

12) Death

13) Lain to rest

14) Rebirth

we made a deal.

"before you were born yet again
we made a deal.
you would return to this place of beautiful suffering
just one more time
you would return for Me
to champion my truths
to sing and shout and witness my creation
but first...
you made requests.
a life of normalcy
a childhood like a novel.
5 years old and pigtails
two parents, a sister, a dog.
the little house with a big yard
camping and singing and God.
first kiss at 16
with the high school sweetheart from a ballad
years of college at play
with a bad boy or too to boot
learning shadow sides and hidden corners
seeing just how far your inner rabbit hole
really is.
bright eyes to appreciate sunsets
bright heart to see through flaws to true souls
enough anger to find strength
enough peace to find the words.
and above all else,
you asked me
for them.
two little souls, to love and be loved for all time.
never before had you been allowed leave
to simply feel them, sit with them
hold them and mold them.
always taken, always denied
wrong body, wrong timing, wrong lover, wrong sky
but in this i granted
above all else and the rest
with but one sacrifice -
TIME.

now you must wait, my love
wait for my call.
your name you shall know when called out to you
but until then,
wonder stalls.
hold My gifts, see them real.
catch the moments, save the breaths
my champion you must become.
when my time has arrived
you will know this purpose great
of my strength you will be full
our words will be as one
and a difference you will make.

but a deal we have made
and from this deal
for now,
you must wait."