from Rob Stearns

I wrote this poem over a couple days. I started out writing it on one day, had to put it down, got distracted, forgot about it, then remembered, then continued. I hope it makes sense.

The reason for this poem is my friend Jamie’s sister, Penny. She has cancer. A young woman, wife, mother, sister, daughter fighting for her life…on the inside. I was thinking about her and all the crap she is going through and just thinking about how God is looking down on her and how he can’t wait to have her in his presence. How God can’t wait to have her in HIS presence! But not in a way where he just takes people away from their families so they can play harps on clouds past the pearly gates.

No…it goes deeper than that. Much deeper.

I see God as being active in our lives. He hurts when we hurt. He’s excited when we’re excited. He cries when we reject him. He swells with pride when we follow him. And all the while he’s shaping us, molding us, stretching us…and that involves pain, hurt, suffering. It just does. But God is preparing us with this life of a paultry 72 years (or so) for ALL OF ETERNITY!!!

I’m not sure how Penny is hurting. I’m not sure why. But God is preparing her and her family for something eternal. Something that goes beyond this world’s realm.

Is Not For Now
for Penny

You lie there in pains most can fathom not
You’re lost in thoughts most have never weighed
You’re tears taste like salt
and fears spread like weeds

I’m shaping you and those you love
I’m forming you in ways your eyes can’t perceive
I’m changing you into glorious
I’m walking with you in victorious
The pain and the fear
the doubts and the tears
is not for now