heart – Grace-Filled Hope

Tears on My Face

Posted on November 10, 2025 by Ashley

At my parish, we are doing a 6 week school of prayer class. It has been fruitful and very well done by my parish. One of the days, we were to imagine that Jesus was sitting with us. I imagined that He was sitting down and I was on the floor at His feet, laying my head down on His lap with tears in my eyes and His hands running through my hair to calm me. From that, came these words.

It's okay child, let those tears fall
I've got you close, safe and secure
It's okay child, let those tears fall
Let them cleanse your soul made pure

I am here to hold you
I am here to ground you
I am here to protect you
I am here to love you

So let those tears fall down your face
Know I hold your heart next to my own
Let those tears fall down your face
Then give me a chance for my love shown

Written October 2025

Poetry

Searching for a Miracle

Posted on September 21, 2025 by Ashley

Searching, longing, gazing
begging for a miracle.
Only one able, God above.
Come into the entire being,
save it from itself,
keep it in your holy love.
Do not release your grip,
hugging close to your heart,
the one hurting and desiring.

Written November 2023

Poetry

The Square Box

Posted on August 24, 2025 by Ashley

stuck inside a square box
tumbling, rolling, out of control
hard the sides that are hit
objects whirling all around
suddenness, unexpected, chaos
yet it sits at home in the soul
sharpened, pointing, taunting
they are out for blood, hunting
weary the heart they aim for
a heart fighting to thrive
it's tools and weapons scatter
will the soul find them
find release from the box

Written November 2023

Poetry

Trust in Me

Posted on March 30, 2025April 3, 2025 by Ashley

Look at me as I look at you

Trust in me for what I call you to do

There’s a still small voice in my heart

It calls for me to never depart

To hold on tight to his love

He says to me coming down from above

Look at me as I look at you

Trust in me for what I call you to do

My life finds meaning, a reason to live

A grace to love, he does give

Humble and meek I want to be

In all things he calls out to me

Look at me as I look at you

Trust in me for what I call you to do

March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: third day early morning adoration

Poetry

Your Tenderness

Posted on March 30, 2025April 1, 2025 by Ashley

When darkness surrounds me

And all seems lost

It’s to you I run and I remember

Your tenderness

Holds me fast

Your tenderness

Heals my soul

My spirit is thirsting

Looking for love

You’re all I’m needing and I remember

Your tenderness

Holds me fast

Your tenderness

Heals my soul

Help me remain in you

Never to leave

Your speak to me heart and I remember

Your tenderness

Holds me fast

Your tenderness

Heals my soul

O Lord, O Lord

Your tenderness

O Lord, O Lord

Your tenderness

I’ll always remember

Your tenderness

Holds me fast

Your tenderness

Heals my soul

O Lord, your tenderness

March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: second day early morning adoration

Poetry

Raining Tears

Posted on May 7, 2023May 7, 2023 by Ashley

Like water falling down to the earth
So, too, from eyes thus streaming
Water flowing, the source breaking
A rumbling felt to the very core
Flashes blinding your vision
All the same, giving light to dark
The rushing, the tension, the chaos
Beating, pouring forth with no end
Fallen to the ground looking upward
Mixed are the rain and the tears
Brokenness loud, brokenness silent
Hidden within yet poured, seen
Washed away and still left broken
Scattered, found in the passing
Left to be healed, created anew

*written moments before posting*

Poetry

You, the Lord

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Ashley

What is it, Lord, that even as I run,

I am found clinging to you?

Though darkness is in my heart,

a light is shining through.

The desires of my flesh

succumbing to your holy way.

When the battle rages on,

find me on my knees to pray.

As the chaos fights to be let in,

my shield and my hope you will be.

The enemy stands not a chance;

it is you, Lord, that sets me free.

During Adoration 2-19-23