For Rissa

Sometimes you feel lost in your own being
Helpless to dark cruel thought
Sometimes you wonder why it's pain you feel
When it was happiness you sought

Sometimes you feel worthless and broken
Shattered and empty inside
It seems there is no one to turn to
And you've lost count of the tears you have cried

Don't give in to the voices
That plague you with self-doubt
Know that God has plans for your life
That you have not yet found out

Don't condemn yourself so harshly
By striving so hard for perfection
Rather, show yourself the same compassion
You do others with no flawless mirror reflection

You are a beautiful child of God
Created as he wishes you to be
He loves you more than you'll ever know
And He longs for you to break free.

Never believe you are not loved
That you're unimportant or unappreciated
On the contrary, you are cared for by many
And certainly you are not hated.

For now, stay strong, stay hopeful and open
To your faith hold fast
Remember, for all there is a time to weep
And that this, too, shall pass.