GET UP!

When I wrote this in 2014, I had no idea how hard life was really going to get.  These last few years have been a real challenge and a struggle.  Work, family, Pat, dogs, my body, friends and on and on and on.  I know who my tormentor is.  It is no coincidence that this all started happening after I came back from the Men’s Retreat.  While there, I committed to reading The  Word regularly again and to talk to God more.  I have been actively attempting to pursue God’s purpose in my life since that date.  I have been attacked, challenged and discouraged pretty much each step of the way.  I know who my tormentor is. This poem describes my journey and is a message to that tormentor.

GET UP!
What?  Who said that?
Stay down!
Who was that?  There are 3 of us here.
What happened?

GET UP!
I shake my head to clear out the cobwebs.
GET UP NOW!
You’ll regret it!  Then he chuckled.
I don’t know who they are, but I definitely do not like that last voice.

I press my hand down and I begin to lift myself up.
Stay down, snarls the last voice.
Where am I and what happened?
STAND UP NOW!
I do.

NOW OPEN YOUR EYES!
I do, just in time to see the next punch thrown.
Down to my knees I go,
but this time I saw it coming.
The last voice chuckles louder.

GET UP!
I  stand up with my eyes open this time,
just in time to avoid the next punch.
The last voice snarls and glares at me through red eyes.
He hooks my legs and down I go again.

GET UP!
Quicker this time and I stand firm.
The last voice goes after my legs again,
but I stand firm.
Unfortunately I did not see the kick to the gut and down I go again.

GET UP!
I realize that the first voice is coming from within.
He tells me to duck and I avoid another blow to the head.
He tells me to stand firm and I do.
YOU CAN DO THIS!

GET DRESSED!
I cover my feet, my legs, my chest and finally my head.
YOU ARE IN A WAR.
So I pickup the shield and the sword.
I look for my tormentor.

He is there, snarling in anger.
He is looking for a weakness, but I do not hand him any.
I look around and see that he is now tormenting another.
I turn to his victim and I reach out my hand.
I smile at him and say, GET UP!

If this encouraged you, then hit the share button to encourage someone else.  Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are in a war.  We need to encourage each other, because the enemy does not quit.  Their days are numbered.