The Chapel in the Woods

The Chapel in the Woods

The Chapel in the Woods

There is little chapel in the woods as I was growing up
I found it one day as I walked
No walls or alter just a white birchwood cross
And benches made from hewn logs

It was simple yet so grand I could feel You there Lord
You spoke to my heart so gently and lovingly
You gave me peace I didn’t understand
And brought me rest and overflowing love and joy

So many years ago Lord, I’d nearly forgotten it
So many joys and sorrows have made me forget
Now life comes crashing in like relentless waves on the ocean shore
First one, then another and another until I can stand no more

In the midst of it all You gently remind of what I once knew
You bring me back in memory until it is fresh and new
You show me that little chapel with its simple birchwood cross
You tell me here is My peace, rest.

You tell me, I will fill you once more
With peace that passes understanding, and joy.
I will help you as the waves of life crash in, I will not forsake you
And I cry and pray, Lord how I need You.

You remind me that I once trusted You completely
I sit and cry because I have strayed so far away
I pray Lord remind me of what I once knew
And in Your gentle love and mercy, You do

Now that I am older I find I need to become that trusting child again
And I can so clearly see that wooden cross
On which He bore my sins which were as scarlet.
But His blood has cleansed them and made me white as snow.

I wonder what happened to that little chapel in the woods
I suppose it does not matter.
It is with me in memory and always will be
And the white of that cross remind me, my sins have been cleansed.

Jeannine Faith

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