Stranger to The Promise

Before you,
I was a stranger
to the covenant of promise
having no hope and without God
in the world (my world).
I could not share communion
with righteousness
because it was far from me.
At every turn there was
only darkness to be found.
Until you…..who are Light,
dispelled the darkness in me
and shouted out healing to my very soul.
Victory is yours!
Victory is mine…because of you.
I cannot boast of any good thing...
but that which your eyes saw in me,
made in me,
spoke into me….your life.

De'Anna L. West
© March 25th, 2006

My Heart Hears!

I listened as you spoke,
to the congregation upon the mount.
My heart cried out in gladness
as you blessed those hearts with
a seed so carefully planted.

...And I heard you teach that day saying,
blessed are all of those who would take heed
and learn to love perfectly as you love.
Though their hearts may be forsaken and torn by this world.

There were many blessings brought to every generation
And established by your spoken Word.
Your Love, and every part of the creation you are
spoke of every good and wonderful being that you are.
I cried as I realized all the Love that you are.

I heard as you spoke the depth of your own heart's desire.
It spoke of all that are by your hand made alive
and set within their spirits sure, a divine spirit
made to every likeness of your very own image.

I marveled at the Grace of every word you spoke...
and blessed all those who were pure in heart.
For you surely said they would see God,
and clearly established their inheritance of earth.
It pleased me and healed me to sit as I listened.
Knowing full well I drank from the river
of your infinite Love unending.

...And I found myself at peace, sitting there at your feet.
I listened as you taught our hearts to pray.
That your will would be established and finished
upon this earth as it is already within heaven by your spirit.

I chose within myself that very hour--your Love.
...And I, would not turn away again, ever.
Never willingly turning back to any sin.
Though I might be deceived until you were clearly revealed,
I would remain forgiven.

I pondered the great act of your Mercy, as Love poured out
the very depth of your consuming spirit.
And I was amazed that day at the change within my spirit.
Knowing that I was really loved within.
You never once condemned me for my sin.

I praised your name within my heart that day.
And since that day was borne within my soul
I had wondered how it was that you could Love so deeply.
And contemplated why even you would chose to love, even me.

And then I knew. You desired that the congregation
would Love, perfectly the ALL of you.
And seeing you there I found myself mesmerized
and unable to move at all.
I desired you there, and vowed within my heart,
that you, my ever-loving God, would receive,
My love,
Me.


Written by: De'Anna West © 1995

A Child of Truth

When you have the Truth
living inside of you
it does many things.
The Truth will call you to challenge
it will call you to knowledge
and the wise ask for the understanding of it.
When you have Truth living in you
it challenges you to always
be the best you can be;
To accept differences yes,
but to never compromise.
The Truth in itself
is a two edged sword to be borne
alone.

Until
the day comes
when the Truth living inside of you
does not scare another.
I have found that having the
Truth living in me
has caused people to turn
their faces in fear.
They fear the wielding
of that sword.
Too many times has it been
used with unrighteousness
thus causing it to become a lie.

The Truth is searing
sometimes causing pain,
but it is always healing.
It is healing because it is given in Love.
That is another of Truth’s names.
Love. Righteousness. Everlasting.
Eternal.

Written by: De’Anna West ©

This Beautiful Morn

This is a beautiful morning Lord,
carried by your very breath...
sometimes I sit and wonder
how it is you have made me
to love you so.

It was your gentle touch,
your soft voice.
Always pleading and
always there.
Saying good morning
no matter where I might be.

And today, I love you more
than I did yesterday.
How it is that your love works within me
is a mystery to me.
How it is that it grows
leaves me wondering.

And I think to myself
how blessed I really am.
How grateful I am to share
this morning with you.
You who loves me,
lover of my soul.
That you would come for me
is still a mystery to me.

I will not ask why.
I know why.
Although I’ve yet to understand
the very depth, breadth or height.
I will know someday,
how it is you have saved me
and why.
Although why isn’t as important
as the fact that you did.

You made me to love you
and I simply do.
You made me to worship you
and I seek to worship you
in all things I do.
You made me to hear your voice...
and that too is a mystery.
How it is I hear that softness that you are.
How it is I can hear at all...

And you soothe my soul
when it is in turmoil.
Your hand upon me brings me peace
in a way I have never known before...
And I love you there.
When I have not one care
except for you.

Thank you, that you gave me your life.
Praise your name forever
because of that life.
Thank you, that you made me white as snow.
When I see what I wear,
I see your bloodstains everywhere...
and I am grateful that you gave
ALL that you are.

You amaze me
in so many ways.
You giving your life for me
setting me free from the bondage of myself.
A place I had chosen to be...
and would still have chosen
had it not been for your great love for me.
You had a key…
and they tell me the only key I need is willingness.

So be it.
I will be willing to hear your voice…
and I will be willing to follow your instruction.
I will be willing to give to you
all that I am.

Lover of my soul
thankful I am.
That this morning we celebrate
a new life.
Away with the old!
You are the one who keeps my soul!
So keep it this day please.
Make me a willing participant
in all that you have given me.


Written By: De’Anna West © April 20, 2003

From the time I was knit
together in my mother’s womb…
I have eternity.
From the time I was born….
I have eternity.
I shall not taste death
but be taken only
by the hand of Him
who loves my soul.
I call His name Eternity.
Emanuel, Jesus.
From the moment
I first understood,
with wild abandon I
played with the otters…
I spoke with the squirrels…
and I looked at
my parents and knew
I was on loan to them…
For I knew always
in my heart,
I belong to Him.
I have Eternity.

February 24, 2008
De’Anna West ©

I AM RISEN

This beautiful morning
etched upon the horizon...
within the moment of your first waking breath…
I can see you there
and my spirit is rejoicing at the crispness
in the air.
I shiver and I smile
from the warmth of the caress
I felt you give me there.

For the dawning of this day
is here… and we agree.
And not one in all of creation will fail
to see
every flower blooming nor the fragrance
within your beauty.

It is spring and winter.
And the cold has given way now to the sun.
The frost and the dew upon the grass
are there to nurture
that which is not seen with eyes.
Intricate and alive
every pulsating heartbeat awaits
and greets
the dawning of this new day.

As you,
who would give to all creation
your loving breath of life,
let every spirit awaken in wonder
and rejoice at your heart filled with your desire.
Let the children dance
and let laughter be every word
within each new tune
that every bird chirps.
Saying that the rains have passed
and once again eternal spring has sprung.
Every creature in the heavens and earth
Are.

I have seen it etched upon the horizon.
Today
a new day dawning
and never setting.
This beautiful morning
awakened now.. My spirit shivers
and I smile…
for the fragrance of your beauty
surrounds me.
And I,
am suddenly...
Free.


Written By De'Anna West © 1995

My Life Story

I think if ever I told my life story
it would be volumes not journal pages.
Sometimes I have felt like the journey has been like a
mountain climber on a rock face.
Sometimes I sit frozen on the face of the mountain;
too scared to look down; too frightened to let go
and too exhausted to move on.
Run the race…fight the fight plays
like some broken recording in my mind.
I have never given up the ground I have gained…
I prefer instead to lie frozen still until I have
regained my breath…and I don’t feel sorry.
Not for myself and not for them.
I feel called to the crest….a higher calling….
A guiding….teaching by example at best.
But I, I will win.

© De'Anna West
February 1, 2007