MDTS: Hloniphile

Girls I grew to love in Swaziland: Hloni is on the very left

Dear Hloniphile

Haunted eyes that have seen too much
A wince of pain at the slightest touch
Father and brother said too early of goodbyes
Strong determination not to make your mother cry

Your face was blank, your tone noncommittal
But clear to see your soul and body trembled
Fear of the once too many near-misses
And memories of the twice-too-many hospital visits

I wonder how you can bear a load so tall
Forced to suffer the baggage of someone else's fall
Others complain of exams and of studying
If only they knew that exactly what you're craving

Little girls weren't mean to have no strength in their feet
Or to miss out on playing because the body's too weak
Little girls dance and play and dream
And twirl and know what being a princess means

I held your frail hands that day and knew
That there was not anything I could offer you
What could I do, find a magical cure
Or could I lie and say you'll be healed for sure

In desperation I cried for Him to be near
For Him to come down, for you to be clear
For you to know that Life is waiting for you
For you to experience the supernatural peace too

I have nothing to give, nothing of worth
Except the resurrection of power of my Savior
The One who sees every cry, every tear
And who will always be with you, closer than near.

Even as I prayed I cried, "Lord, help my unbelief"
And then, to my surprise and relief
Your face, once contorted and tightened
Subtly changed to reflect a burden lightened
The fear and pain once evident in your face
melted away to the light of grace
How the Spirit poured into your soul and heart
Now you know that nothing can tear your apart
from His infinite and perfect love, from His great good
And He WILL do all things to work for your good

He never meant for you to have such a burden so heavy
In His arms the baggage, and You, He now carries
You can depend on His trustworthy love,
His faithfulness and mercy are always enough

Oh, how joyful you looked that night
As we marched together in church to the hymn of the light
Wahambanahti means "He walks with me"
How deep you took that truth, how much you could see!

And the shy yet firm embrace we shared for a moment
Will last with me even as time goes unfrozen
In my mind's eye you are happy and strong
In my heart I know you firmly belong
to the One who will not give you, or me, up
to the One who willingly shares His cup
Let's dance again, I long to see you, Hloni
If not in this life, then one day in eternity.