by Mark Weinrich

“A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not
snuff out, in faithfulness he will
bring forth justice.” Isaiah 42:3

When I’m physically spent
and my passion is flickering
like a dying ember. 
I remember Isaiah’s promise
about the reed and wick.

Though my days are buffeted
like a cattail reed, and I am
barely holding things together.
The Lord will not give up on me.
He has plans no matter how bruised
and battered I appear.

When my sputtering wick
has lost its light, He will not
forsake.  No matter how
the darkness swallows me,
His Spirit will empower 
and reignite. His faithfulness 
through grace will overturn
every circumstance I thought
would disqualify.

No matter how 
the world has knocked me down, 
I can never underestimate 
the wonder
of His redeeming love.

Mark Weinrich lives a creative life as a writer, photographer, musician, and artist—all wrapped together in an outdoorsman. He is a retired pastor and nine-year cancer survivor. His writing and photography have appeared in over 139 news stand, inspirational, and literary publications. He has sold eight children’s books and currently has two fantasy novels on Kindle.