About the Writer:
Sherrill Schlimpert

An ordinary suburban girl with an extraordinary passion for seeking the Lord’s will in her life, Sherrill is more than a poet. She is a retired elementary school teacher, mother of two grown children, and wife for over 31 years. One dreary morning's drive awakened her passion for writing prayer-poetry as God greeted her with a spectacular sunrise. Her flow of words and faith has filled two self-published books so far.

Perfect Peace

By Sherrill Schlimpert

You will keep in perfect peace
 whose mind is staid on Thee…

Perfect peace,
    how fleeting…
Perfect peace…
Is it here with  
    the sweet ocean breeze
    the warm morning sunshine
    on my face?
 No worries for today.

Yes, it is here today,
    but not because of
    the breeze and
    the sunshine.
It is only because of surrender-
    an emptying.
 Not a filling of the world –
    even of your creation, Lord,
    unless I quiet
       to let it speak
           of You.
You. You. Oh, holy One.
    Creator
       of the breeze,
           the sun,
              the power of the ocean,
                the majesty of the skies,
                  the palette of clouds and light.                
You – who listens 
     when I petition
       and groan,
         and grieve.
You – who comes down from on high
    to walk with me,
      to whisper,
        to guide.
  You – who give moments of perfect peace,
       but not just because I ask.
         It is not a filling that you give.
         It is an emptying –
           always first an emptying,
               a surrender,
               a stillness,
               with no requests,
               no striving,
               just an emptying,
              a lying of all before You,
              until the thoughts of my mind,
                 the needs,
                 the discontent,
              Are gone
                 and
           there is only You.

Copyright © November 2007 - Sherrill Schlimpert. All rights reserved.

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