I saw You there
and desperately wanted to be near You. 

When I called out
You heard and beckoned me to walk to You.

So I did.

Without any thought
and seeing only You, 
I stepped out of the boat
and walked toward You;
hearing nothing but Your voice,
encouraging me
and wanting to be near me, too.

But then, 
the wind and the seas
rose up around me,
distracting my eyes – 
and my heart – 
from You!

Oh Lord, how many times
must I sink 
into distraction
before I get it? 

“Take courage. I am here.”*


**Matthew 14:27b