I Felt You
by Leo Tyler
What you want I desire
To be open and free
And not withhold
I felt you
It is only in your
Embrace that I
Am able to experience
The depth of my pain
An insecurity
I felt you
Deep within
I was not alone
In my body the
Strain
Deeper the
Pain
I felt you
Welcoming You
Allowing you
Being me
I am free
I felt you
With the release
A stretch
It was freedom
Something left
Something gained
No more pain
I felt you
Reflection
Here are some questions to ponder:
• Desires and Freedom: What does it mean to desire openness and freedom? How does withholding affect your sense of self and relationships?
• Embracing Vulnerability: How does the embrace described in the poem enable a deeper experience of pain and insecurity? Why is vulnerability important in personal growth and relationships?
• Inner Connection: When have you felt deeply connected within yourself, even in moments of struggle or pain? How does this inner connection impact your resilience and sense of belonging?
• Liberation and Authenticity: Reflect on a time when embracing your true self brought a sense of liberation. How does authenticity contribute to your personal freedom and well-being?
• Transformation and Growth: Consider the imagery of release and stretching toward freedom in the poem. What do you think the poem suggests about the process of growth and letting go?
• Integration of Experiences: How do moments of pain and release, as described in the poem, contribute to your overall life journey? What lessons or insights can be drawn from these experiences?
These questions can help you explore deeper meanings and personal insights inspired by the themes of connection, vulnerability, and liberation in "I Felt You ."
Biblical Texts
• Psalm 139:1-3: "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways." This passage reflects the idea of God's intimate knowledge and presence, similar to the feeling of being deeply known and understood as expressed in the poem.
• Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Here, Jesus invites those who are burdened by pain and insecurity to find rest and freedom in Him, paralleling the release and freedom described in the poem.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." This verse speaks to finding strength and freedom through embracing vulnerability and weakness, much like the journey of healing and discovery in the poem.
• Galatians 5:1: "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." This passage emphasizes the theme of freedom, both from external constraints and internal struggles, resonating with the liberation and freedom experienced in the poem's conclusion.
These Biblical texts echo the themes of seeking intimacy with God, finding healing and freedom through vulnerability and trust, and experiencing a deep sense of liberation from pain and insecurity.
Prayer
Gracious God,
What you desire, I yearn for with all my heart—to live open and free, withholding nothing in Your presence.
I felt you,
In the quiet moments of reflection, in the depths of my soul laid bare. It is in Your embrace, O Lord, that I find the courage to confront the depths of my pain and insecurity, knowing that You understand and hold me close.
I felt you,
Deep within, where shadows linger and fears reside. Yet, I am not alone. Your presence surrounds me, comforting me in the midst of my struggles and strengthening me in times of weakness.
I felt you,
Welcoming You into every corner of my being, allowing Your light to illuminate the hidden places. In Your presence, I find the freedom to be authentically me, shedding the masks I wear and embracing the person You created me to be.
I felt you,
With each release of burdens carried too long, I stretch towards the freedom You offer—a freedom that brings peace and restores hope. Something is left behind, and something new is gained—a transformation wrought by Your love.
No more pain,
For in You, O Lord, I find solace and healing. Your presence is my refuge and strength, guiding me through every trial and celebrating with me in moments of joy.
I felt you,
Thank you, Father, for Your unwavering love and grace that set me free. May Your presence continue to dwell within me, shaping me into the person You intended, and may I always walk in the light of Your love.
Amen.
