This Broken World

It’s times like this Lord

I’m reminded of the brokenness of this world

It’s hard to know what to pray

Or how to pray

What can I do

Being so very far away

Let them be aware of Your nearness

Your presences guiding them through each day

Give them strength when they grow weary

In unseen ways, You help them to carry their heavy burdens

In ways, both big and small

Reveal Your tender mercies

Bring to remembrance a hymn or Scripture verse

That stokes the fires of faith within

A timely phone call from family or friends

Just to listen so they know someone cares

Bring to mind Christ Jesus the Lord

At the right hand of the Father interceding for them

When grief and sadness overwhelm them

Holy Spirit translate their groaning into prayer

Their tears are precious to You

You note each one that falls and hold them in a bottle

For the mind that is failing

Allow moments of clarity each day

Though they may forget everything else

Let them never, no never, forget their God

Their suffering is great

I can’t help but ask how long O Lord

I find assurance in knowing You have numbered our days

You know our end from the beginning

You have promised when this life is over

Your saints will be welcomed home in the loving arms of their Savior

In heaven there will be no more tears, sorrow, sickness or death

Until then Lord, bring them through this broken world

Susan Wachtel

February 11, 2018

From Outside In

Depression is my name
I’m otherwise known as the blues

I quietly slip in
Sometimes unnoticed

Before long I consume a person’s life
From the outside in

Soon the person you love
Seems to have slipped away

Consumed within themselves
Unable to express their all-consuming pain

Their world has shrunk
From the outside in

All hope seems to be gone
For they can’t see beyond

Help can only come from the Compassionate One
In faith pray without ceasing for the one you love

For only God can break depression’s chains
From the outside in


by Susan Wachtel
January 8, 2016

This may seem like a dark way to start the New Year, but I felt led to write this poem after seeing someone struggle with depression.  I want to bring hope to those who feel helpless as they watch a loved one’s world shrink.  Truly God can break those chains and restore hope. 

The Defeated Foe

DEFEAT

Front and center!

I want a full report on your subject

Well most evil one

I am happy, excuse that vile word, to report success

In keeping this man down and defeated

I’ve been surprised at how easily he’s swayed

It doesn’t take much

To keep him from reading the Bible each day

Anything from fatigue to busyness

Or little distraction from an aptly timed phone call will do

To keep him from reading the Enemy’s wretched Book

Well done…that’s a must

If he reads it daily

He may actually begin to believe it and live it

It’s critical to cut off the lines of communication with the Enemy

I find he’s easily satisfied with talking to a friend

Instead of praying to his heavenly Father

I don’t even have to work at this one

It comes naturally…thanks to that good old sin nature

It’s a wonder what little grumbling and complaining will do

One of my favorites is when he thinks he can get through the day

On his own strength and relying on his own wisdom

What a joke! 

Well done…it’s imperative that he never knows the truth

That the battle has already been won

That he already has the victory in Christ

Defeat, we may never see him in the Lake of Fire with us

But we can make sure his life here on earth

Is a miserable and defeated existence

Carry on wretched one

Our time is growing short

Excellent work in rendering your foe ineffective and defeated

by Susan Wachtel

July 6, 2012

Lazarus’ Prayer

God’s love for you is certain

His love cannot be measured by time

Your prayers will be answered

His blessings will be made visible

In a package well-disguised

In God’s perfect time

by Susan Wachtel

January 28, 2012

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.  It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.  Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.  Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”  John 11:1-7

Gifted Hands

Called
Gifted
Hands used by God
An instrument of His healing

Equipped
Learned
A faithful steward
Of talents and abilities entrusted by Lord

Wisdom
Experience
Hands that bring healing
Skillfully guided by the Great Physician

by Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 4, 2011

This poem is dedicated to Dr. Tina Lin who will be performing my back surgery this morning and to Jesus Christ my Great Physician and Healer. 

Thank you to the many people who have been praying.  The Lord has been so merciful and good in answer your prayers.  I have the peace of God that passes all understanding.

May I Pray

May I pray with boldness for that which seems impossible
May I pray knowing that You are able
 
May I pray and dare to take the risk that You’ll say yes
May I pray and not worry about Your reputation if You say no

May I pray with courage about the truth that sets us free
May I pray with compassion for those who are lost and in darkness

May I pray with eyes focused on You, not my circumstances
May I pray in confidence as I speak forth Your word

May I pray for that which is more than I can ask or imagine
May I pray with assurance that You hear me in the heavenly places


Susan Bunts Wachtel
June 24, 2010

Dedicated to Karla…a woman with a heart for the Lord. 

Cry Out to God

In your deepest valley
During your darkest night
When facing the fiercest storm
Cry out to God
 
During your busy day
In the midst trying circumstances
When faced with overwhelming demands
Cry out to God
 
While standing on the mountaintop
When all seems right with the world
When your heart overflows with joy
Cry out to God
 
He comforts us in our deepest sorrow
He meets us in our pressing need
Shares in our heartfelt joy
Cry out to God and let Him meet you there
 

Susan Bunts Wachtel
April 27, 2010

The Hard Thing

It’s harder to forgive
Than to hold on to a hurt

It’s harder to pray
Than to whine and complain

It’s harder to bring everything by prayer and petition to God
Than to go to a friend and gossip or lament

It’s harder to give thanks in difficult circumstances or in pain
Than it is to grumble and complain

It’s harder to restrain my mouth and just plain shut up
Than it is to freely speak my mind

It’s not just harder
It’s impossible to take back a word spoken in anger

It’s harder to be disciplined and make time to study God’s word
Than it is to waste time on worthless things

It’s harder to make time for family and friends
Than to let my time be driven by pressing but inconsequential things

It’s harder to take every thought captive
Than it is to let my imagination and thoughts go wild

It’s hard to do what is right before God
When I’m feeding my mind and heart with the things of this world

Oh Lord, may I choose to do the hard thing
Not by might, but by Your Spirit

May I remember when I am weak
Then I am strong in Christ


By Susan Bunts Wachtel
December 2, 2009

Thanksgiving….Much Better Than I Deserve

I would be remiss
If I failed to bow my head and give thanks
For the many blessing
From my heavenly Father above

First and foremost
Salvation found in Christ Jesus alone
For His sacrificial atoning death on the cross
So that my sins, which are many, are forgiven in full

For the Holy Spirit
Who dwells within me
For His comfort and conviction
Daily sanctifying and cleansing me

The Bible
The very Word of God
Solid truth in a world filled with lies and deception
A light unto my path in a very dark world

The Father’s plan of redemption
Put in place before the foundations of the earth were laid
My loving Father is looking and waiting, arms open wide
For this prodigal to come to her senses and return home

I am included in the body of Christ
Called to a church named Kindred
Surrounded by those who faithfully serve
Motivated out of love and obedience to Christ the Risen Lord

For a country founded with a purpose
A place where we might be free
A foundation built on principals
Inalienable rights granted by our Creator

Abundant blessings flow
From the Father’s hand
I can truly say
I’m doing much better than I deserve

My husband Chris
The one for whom I prayed many years
He loves the Lord with all his heart
By God’s grace he just happens to love me too

A home we call our own
With much more than I can ask or imagine
A fireplace to sit by on a cool autumn evening
A backyard, my retreat to enjoy God’s creation

Family and friends make each day richer
Filled with grace, mercy and love
They share in the laughter and joy of the moment
Then come alongside to help lift the burden of a heavy load

Work…a means by which God provides
A place to use the skills, talents and abilities
Gainful employment means much more these days
When so many are still seeking a job

This is just a start
Of the many things for which I give thanks
You can truly see
I am blessed far beyond that which I deserve


Susan Bunts Wachtel
November 25, 2009

Burdened

Today I awoke downcast
As though I was grieving
Profoundly sad
For no explainable reason

Then my path crossed
With those who bear a heavy burden
Whose tear stained face
Bears the marks of grief, pain and fear

Those who lost a loved one
A life cut down at such a young age
Family and friends who had no time to grasp the enormity
Before they stood at their loved one’s grave

Or the one who received a bad report
Without warning, in an instant
Life had changed
Each day recognized as a gift, not a guarantee

Then there is the one who suddenly
Finds themselves unemployed
In stiff competition with untold others
Praying that someone will just give them a chance

God did you burden my soul
Give me a small picture of their pain
That I might be compelled
To plead for them before Your throne


Susan Bunts Wachtel
November 16, 2009

The Road Beyond

I’ve been down this road
So many times before
I ought to know it well

Instead of doubt and despair
My mind should be filled
With excitement and prayerful expectation

The road begins
With a prayer
For God’s soon deliverance

Then the wait begins
Sometimes the delay appears to be a no
For God’s timing is oft much different than my own

He takes me to the brink
Where I feel like I cannot endure
Not even one more day

Then God takes me beyond
To the place where I must choose
To doubt or believe God

In the place of beyond
I wait upon the Lord
With faith look for God’s miraculous deliverance

Oh my soul, take courage
For God will never disappoint
When He takes me down the road and beyond


Susan Bunts Wachtel
August 12, 2009

Darkness of the Soul

There is a certain darkness to your soul
Unapproachable
A place where no one can come in

Your thoughts remain private
Silence
I’m at a loss on what to say or do

A frown so deep, so low
Profound
Sadness, loneliness or is it anger I see

I cry out to God
Desperate
For His presence to go before you

My words so ineffective
Intercede Holy Spirit
Translate when I don't know what to pray


Susan Bunts Wachtel
July 15, 2009

Discouragement's Victory

Discouragement reporting for duty
Greetings powerful evil one
The day is young but the time is right
I’ve already begun to make my rounds

While I may not rob them of their salvation
Through defeat and discouragement
I can keep them from experiencing
The joy and peace of their Master

I can lead them down the path to failure
Use their own sin nature to cause them to stumble and fall
I move by stealth
They are unsuspecting of the enemy’s plan

I stir up discontentment
Cause them to grumble and complain
Focus on what they lack
Rather than turn to God in prayer

Like the Jews of old wandering in the desert
They experience deliverance by the mighty hand of God
Witness miracle after miracle
Recipients of God’s grace, mercy and compassion

Yet I cause them to question their God
Demand deliverance according their plan
With unbelieving hearts
Choosing to doubt God’s goodness and character

Unyielding
Unbending
They will not submit their will
To God’s perfect sovereign plan

Pride and selfishness
Such effective tools
Rather than God
They enthrone themselves upon their heart

The mouth which should praise Him
Is instead filled with grumbling and complaints
They are focused on the here and now
Rather than submitting to God’s eternal plan

No crown will they receive
To lay at their Savior’s feet
Their works like wood, hay and stubble will one day burn
What remains will lie in an ash heap

I will have the victory
If I can distract and disarm them
Keep them focused on themselves, rather than God
Discontent and disheartened…believing their God does not even care


By Susan Bunts Wachtel
March 5, 2009

Condemning Power

When I start condemning and stop praying
That’s when I stop believing in a personal God
Who is able to save completely and transform lives

When does criticism become sin
When I’d prefer to stand in judgment
Rather than stand in love and pray

When I’d rather shake my finger and say shame on you
Than to look in the mirror and examine myself
See if I had contributed to the fall of another


By Susan Bunts Wachtel
December 29, 2008

Ready

Ready to stand
With the belt of truth girded about me


Ready to stand victorious
Obeying the Commander who called me to battle


Ready to stand firm…immovable
Cutting off all entanglements…breaking from this world


Ready to stand with an attitude of truthfulness
Committed…sincere…without hypocrisy


Ready and disciplined
Pursing that which is excellent…not settling for what is good


Ready to endure
Run the race…obtain the prize of our high calling


Ready to bring praise, glory and honor
To my great God and Savior, Christ Jesus my Lord



Susan Bunts
August 20, 2008

For Chris...my love and husband to be. I’m so grateful to have a partner as we endeavor to fight the good fight and seek by the power of God to endure till the end. By His power alone...may we present Jesus our shield covered with arrows from the enemy that missed because of His hand of protection upon us.

Transforming Power

In my weakness
I want to turn around and walk away
But by the power of the Holy Spirit
I will return to the lion’s den this day


In my flesh
I want to strike back
But under the control of the Holy Spirit
I will choose to turn the other cheek


In my sin nature
I want to tell others of the offense against me
By the transforming power of Christ within
I will instead offer a prayer for the offender


In my humanity
Tears flow as I’m surrounded by quite
From the Word planted in my heart
I’m reminded that God will wipe every tear from my eyes


In my solitude
I attempt to wrestle against the spiritual forces of darkness
When I remember I am part of the body of Christ
I reach out and ask for my day to be covered in prayer


In my self confidence
I fail to prepare for spiritual warfare
In His wisdom, power and strength
I put on the full armor of God so I can stand against the devil’s schemes


By Susan Bunts
July 25, 2008

Decisions...Prayerfully Considered

Decisions, decisions,
Oh Lord, may my response,
Be according to Your will,
Answering Your call,
Hearing Your voice alone.

If this is my imagine,
Trying to shape circumstances,
Interpreting the signs,
Imposing my will, but calling it Yours.
Stop me in my tracks...let me proceed no further.

May my desire,
Be obedience to my Father,
To please Him,
To love my Savior,
By serving the body of Christ where You have called me.

May I not seek my own glory,
Or try to proceed,
On my own strength, wisdom and power,
Instead may I know that this call is so far beyond me,
That I’m fully leaning and relying upon You.

Decisions, decisions,
May You guide my heart and mind,
Make Your leading clear,
Give me a holy unease,
If I dare to stray from the path You have set before me.

Susan Bunts
July 18, 2008

Tonight I received a phone called that seems to be the answer to a prayer. But as I started to pray that God would guide and direct me....make His leading clear, I realized that as much as I want to have my prayer answered...more than that...I desire to be in God’s will.

Because this decision will effect my husband to be...I needed to seek his counsel. To ask him to be in prayer regarding this. I also must willing to heed his counsel. He is a godly man...and God is well able to guide and direct Chris’ thinking, as well as my own. Will I choose to respect Chris’ wisdom and direction...even if it differs from mine?

In bringing Chris and I together God answered my prayer for a godly husband. At the same time...God answered Chris’ prayer to be stretched and taken out of his comfort zone. Sometimes, I teasingly tell Chris to stop the prayers for stretching...because when He stretches Chris...He’s stretching me too.

At the end of the day...I honestly don’t know which way God will direct us. Is this God answering Chris’ prayer for stretching? Will it be a test to see if I will respect and obey my husband to be? Even if it’s contrary to what I want or feel comfortable with?

Will we be in unified in our decision...in step with one another? Of one accord?

I’m glad I don’t have to rely on my own wisdom or the fickle deceitfulness of my feelings. But instead I can fully lean and trust in God as He answers my prayer for Him to guide and direct Chris and I in an important decision.