In the Name of Love

I recently got to attend a ladies brunch at my local church, Freedom City in Lisbon, which was so special! It was a moment we could gather as girls to be vulnerable and encouraging as we lifted each-other up in prayer, shared amazing food together, and got some vision for the future of ladies events from Jane Kirsten.

In amongst these moments, I got to share a poem the Lord laid on my heart the week before. I awoke in the night and couldn't sleep, and felt like I just had to write down some thoughts. It happens often, but I say to myself - no way am I getting out of bed at 1am! But this time it felt different. I already had the first words in my mind and couldn't shake the feeling. After I had written, I thanked the Lord for helping me process my thoughts. The next day, Jane confirmed she wanted me to share a poem at the ladies brunch. I prayed about sharing this specific poem, as I remember from Steffany Gretzinger who said: not all songs are meant to be sung out loud. I felt the Lord say that these were words I could share, and so I made some edits and went with it, praying it would touch some hearts like it did mine!

I've decided to post it here on my blog as well, so that I can share it easily with those on my heart to. Please feel free to share it with anyone you feel like needs to hear it.

With love,

Charlotte

Perfect Love casts out all fear

Remember this, dear One

That in the thick of doubt

His Love surrounds you.

Oh my soul,

There is a war within you.

Your heart is sore and tired,

Your mind strong and mean:

It tells you that love is something you earn,

Just do better, try harder, be sweeter, no rather strong.

Look at her, she’s loved, and I bet you she earned it,

By the way she dresses, or her job that’s so cool.

Me? I cannot compete, but I have to,

If I want to be loved, right?

“Yes”, I hear myself say.

“You don’t belong here, earn your place!”

“You failed, you’re no good.

You messed up. Stop before it happens again!

For their sake, the ones you love,

disappear.

This home, this place, this world would be better,

Left to people like her who’ve got it all together.

I could bend, I say back back to myself,

To be what I know they’ll like.

I’ll try harder, be prettier, sweeter, kinder, faster, bigger,

Sexier, funniER, SMARTER, LOUDER!

Alright, I’ll bend, if it means I’ll be loved.

Or should I stop trying altogether,

That would be better?

For everyone around me

I’m no good, remember?

In the name of love, I’ll try harder. I have to have it.

In the name of love, I’ll leave them and never hurt them again.

In the name of love I’ll… In the name…

Oh my soul, there is a war within you.

Your heart is sore and tired.

Your mind is strong and mean.

But listen, softly, your spirit is talking:

You crave love, dear one,

But you cannot receive it

For you believe you are not worthy

So you fight, or run, but little did you know,

You were not designed

To live a life of isolation,

separate from Love Himself.

It is why you keeping fighting,

Though your body is exhausted,

From trying to keep to the standard

That you think earns love.

There’s more to this story! This story of love.

You’ve been listening to voices

That are loud and unyielding,

Making you believe

You are not worthy of receiving

Well finally you are listening,

Hear what the Lord is saying.

“You are made in the image of God.”

You are treasured, and you are His.

God is not a duplicator. God is a creator.

You are

IRREPLACEABLE.

Unique and complex

He formed you in your entirety,

Body, soul, mind spirit,

Formed in the image of God.

Your name has been written

You have a seat at the table

Before you have done anything

And after you have done everything

Praise the Lord.

As you surrender your fear,

And lay them at His feet,

at the feet of Him Who Saves

Watch and see how your life will change.

You’ve been watching,

You’ve been watching others,

As they give and receive,

You want to learn

the trick to the trade

Of love

But you’ve missed the person of Love Himself.

Come, I urge you, see his hands, His feet.

He died, so you dont have to earn

The love you so rightly crave.

Yes it is good to crave the One you were made for,

The One they call Love.

He has found you, Called you, and made you His own.

No longer do you answer to the names

Defective, Unworthy or Shamed,

For you have been redeemed by Love Himself,

And you’ve been given a new name.

Your name is Chosen, Beautiful Woman,

Child of Love Himself.

You are loved and you are seen

By you Father, your Lover, your King.

This is who you are

And who you are

Is not about to change,

Because His Love has changed everything.

He has earned the Love you so crave,

And promises to give to you

Forever, no matter what, unfailing.

Abide in him,

For He will lead you through the darkness,

To the light of love abounding.

Love, that you have never even dreamt about.

That love you’re seeking?

Seek deeper.

Go bigger, dream higher!

There’s more for you than this artificial stuff,

This fame, this fortune, acceptance from man.

Don’t settle for this cheap stuff,

You were made for Him!

Let your appetite be whet

for the Truth that sets you free.

He will give you life everlasting,

He loves you beyond what you can achieve.

Yes, His Love for you is independent

Of your limits and successes.

What a relief!

Your soul can rest

For the love you so crave

Is the love you have found

In the One who calls you His own.

Remember this, dear One

That in the thick of doubt

Even there, His Love surrounds you.

His song embraces your everything.

Be free, Dear Dove,

And know,

That Love has chosen you.

That Love has chosen you.