Have Mercy, Lord Jesus

Have Mercy, Lord Jesus

It’s 2:10am and I’m wide awake.

It’s my turn to sleep on the floor

outside her bedroom door

administering her pain meds

once every three hours.

My alarm abruptly stirs me awake

through the watches of the night.

 

There’s something a little eerie 

about the middle of the night,

my soul pangs with longing

for moms peaceable homegoing.

“How long, oh Lord, will you tarry?

Hear my cries and deliver mom

from her mortal coils. 

I’m not asking for chariots of fire

to transport her to glory,

just a quiet and sweet release

from the arduous labors of last life. 

 

She has fought the good fight,

She has finished the race,

She has kept the faith.

Her soul longs for heaven,

Her body groans for redemption,

Her mission’s been accomplished—

TETELESTI. It is finished.

 

Can you feel the anguish of this son?

Will your heart respond with compassion

to my midnight sobs for swift mercy?

It’s more than my eyes can stand to see;

it’s more than my ears can bear to hear.

I’m growing weary of the waging war,

so I wave the white flag of surrender.

She is ready, Lord; take her into your arms.

 

But until that exact moment,

It is my honor to watch and pray with her

until the bitter and beautiful end,

whispering the assurance of my presence

and giving all I have to give right now:

the promise that I’m not going anywhere.

 

For all the times she stayed up with me, 

it’s the least that I can do.

But I’d be lying if I’m not begging God

to hear my pleas for grace in this hour.

“Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Have mercy, Sovereign God, 

and escort her to her eternal home.”

 

Into your hands I release her spirit.

Set her free—finally and fully free.