Don't be Afraid of Living

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By Joy E. Walker Steward, reprinted with permission

"Don't Be Afraid of Living" was written for a minister who came to a cancer support group after his wife died and who was now diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, he had seen himself in the role of caregiver to others for such a long time that he couldn't allow himself to receive caring. This was Joy's poem for him.

Don't Be Afraid of Living

Your tears of loneliness touch my heart

And I cried too

For I have known such grief —

The realization that I'd falsely hoped

In love that really wasn't there,

The feeling I could not swim

Waves of rejection

That threatened to engulf me,

The rain of pain that soaked my spirit,

The wish for death to lull me

Into deep forgetful sleep.

The God you've served with all your heart

Now too stands near with tearful eyes,

His fingers beckoning you to come

And curl up in His safe, strong arms,

Smothering your sorrows in His love;

He'll hold you there

Till all your tears are shed;

I do not think He wants you dead,

At least not till you understand

How He can fill the empty spaces,

Sending His love through many faces,

Infusing life with indescribable joy

That triumphs over pain.

So grieve your loss then let it go,

Stretch out your arms to friends who'll give

To you some of the love you've give

Don't be afraid of living.

Ask for what you need

As others have asked you,

Then receive without a murmur

The love that you have given to so many.

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