True Strength

Defining Strength

By: Erin

I used to believe

The strong were the ones who jumped the highest

Lost the most weight

Gained the most approval

Got the highest grades

And still held that perfect smile on their face

I was wrong

So incredibly wrong

I saw true strength the day my best friend told her mom on me

I see true strength each time I witness an honest and true apology

I saw true strength just the other day as my friend cried and said “I am not okay”

It takes true strength to be real, not just know the ‘right’ thing to say

I see true strength when people choose to build others up high

Rather than tear them down to make themselves feel important, cool or fly

Strength is in facing our fears

This sometimes means welcoming the tears

And not checking out with rounds of beers

Running from our fears, challenges, or problems is not strong

And to be honest you won’t be able to go for long

Good for you if

You can jump the highest

Lost the weight you wanted

Gained everyone’s approval

Got the highest grades

And maintained that perfect smile

That’s good for you

But true strength is found in doing things we don’t want to do

But know we have to

Because they make things better and right

For me and for you

Because you see this strength helps to turn on the light

And this gives everyone more power, strength and might to continue their own personal fight.

Empty Inside

Empty

By: Erin

Emptiness is one of my biggest fears

But it’s something that has followed me for many years

Dancing, in the end left me empty

Idolizing people leaves me empty

Putting my worth in my grades leaves me empty

Seeking to be the best just leave me even more empty

Empty

Empty to Hallow

Hallow to Lonely

Lonely to Sad

Sad to Empty

…again

I have attempted to fill the hole in every way, shape and form

In an attempt to turn my empty coldness into something warm

Only those that knew me best

Saw the emptiness where my heart should be in my chest

They saw it in my eyes

Straight through my smile and happy disguise

Emptiness is painful penetrating my being in every way

I’ve come to learn that all I can do is pray

Christ can fill the hole that sits in my chest

And

The more I grow to know Him

The more I grow to know who I am in Him

The more I grow to recover from my illness

The more I learn to love myself in stillness

As the painful emptiness fades away

I actually sometimes experience an honest good day

Filled with emotions sometimes good sometimes rough

But as far as being empty – it’s much worse than feeling stuff