November 25th

“The LORD is good,
      a stronghold in a day of trouble;
   he protects those who take refuge in him,” Nahum 1:7

we expect goodness to arrive
like a parade with sirens at the start,
but God is good in those
tender mercies which slip
into our souls when we least expect.
and it’s not a panic room
which God offers to us, but
a hand reaching out to hold us
when our faith begins to wobble,
as well as a silent space where
we have a chance to breathe again.
when troubles come (and they do),
hammering us like a boxer in a ring
or rain lashing windows in a storm—
God remembers us, and
in that steadfast remembering,
does not turn away, but wraps
our trembling edges with grace
and teaches us, with patience,
to take that first, oh so hesitant
step of faith once again.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman