"When the Water was Clean Again" (An Epic Poem) - #64
Ode to God's deeper plans, love, and healing that have surely prepared me for a much higher ceiling. 🎉
Welcome. 👋🏻
It’s been another quite deep week for me. 🤿
I look at the time and I really don’t know where it went. I sort of just glided through. I felt a LOT of God’s love this week and I’ve tried to share it a lot as well.
I went country swing dancing twice and I think that really helped. My ADHD brain really does like to move. It’s actually crazy how quickly it helps me feel better. 🤯
Country swing dancing is a solid outlet for me because I get to work on my people skills, move, and work on my overall dancing skills (that really need some work) 😅
Interestingly enough I am writing this exactly one month after I wrote my last epic poem, “You Sent Me This”.
It was an extremely elaborate piece, diving deep into why I must give God ALL my time, heart, and mind. I felt lifted as I wrote it, and I got two responses within the next day or so that it was really helpful.
There were also five people that unsubscribed within a few days after it was posted.
These are still the early days. That’s for sure.
On the super bright side, I started and finished this on Friday (and that’s before Monday!) 🎉
In case you are wondering it took me about 3+ hours to write this.
Similar to last time, I was feeling TONS of things and then I just had a thought and then I was off to the races.
I’ve already written a few of these so I think it flowed easier than last time.
The healing I felt from it though was sublime, it truly was sublime.
I’ll let it speak for you, and I hope it is a blessing. ❤️
“When the Water was Clean Again” by Dallin Candland (3/7/25)
When I looked again into the mirror - And was once again glad that I was here You cannot imagine what joy filled my soul What peace that I knew - How high my inner sights flew! To know that God still had His eye on me - And had compassion on all my inadequacy To think that He would forgive all my past... That He was sending me blessings fast! That He was sending me blessings fast! Almost too much To see Heavenly Father come in SO CLUTCH - I scarcely have words to describe. My life was just beginning - Preparation for a season of much winning I had no way to lose Just trusting God - that's all I had to choose (Joshua 24:15) He would wipe the slate completely clean It didn't matter what my eyes ever had seen What mattered most was where I looked now I could be eating simple grasses like a contented cow I could be chilling and gleefully learning as on those grasses I graze (Psalm 23:1-2) Learning more about Him and I would bring me joyfully through this maze. I could be gloriously reclaimed From my mind that had once felt Tortured, defiled, and maimed - Dallin's bright future stolen away by the evil one? No. My story had only begun.
Too Precious to Lose
God would surely see through to that - He would encourage me to swing again with life's bat Not held back by my inner taunts and jeers Not suffocated by poignant memories and lonely tears There is something bigger that I'd do It'd be crazy, but He'd see me the whole way through And if I ever felt like it was all too much... I could lean on God's mercies like CRAZY And soon enough - He'd come in CLUTCH. Learned a lot during my healing season Prepared for a greater game - for a wise reason Soon enough I'd learn to put all these feelings onto paper and pen I'd feel much more comforted with myself and my struggles then He still needed me out on the baseball field - As I poured myself into a new game My soul would be healed. Was I truly too precious to lose? I had felt this before - But now was the time I got to choose.
Winning is Healing
Learned a lot from all the times I struck out - Learned much more what life is all about It is much bigger than individuals and teams - It's to help Heavenly Father with all our growth - Surely one of His deepest, fondest dreams. Stack up a few wins And there's a new feeling Soon enough when you dream You can see through the ceiling There will still be some holes May as well still stick to those goals A consistent showing up Will help you drink the bitter cup And when you need to rest, rest Rest to help you later do your best. One day at a time Yeah, that's not sensational or sublime But that's exactly how you'll get home It's how you are reclaimed from feeling broken and alone Not sure why I feel so close to wanting to cry As I type out these words It's probably because I've lived it The best of my life - I still haven't gived it. To feel that something once broken could be made as gold - I just had to speak up, and be willing to be bold (Joshua 1:9). No mortal can truly see the hurt you hold inside Christ has already drunk the bitter cup, And felt all the thrills and spills of your ride (He has... Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 12:1-2) When people try to put words in your mouth It can put a bad taste in your mouth. Doesn't that make sense? When you're trying to decide whether or not to hop off of the fence And someone else explains where you ought to go? Yes, it's good to trust they want what's best for you... But aren't you meant to grow? Be the river through which goodness and light cannot help but rush and flow? YES. Then why in the Donkey Kong of Tropical Freeze was I making any room for stress? Isn't God carrying me to better blessings like an intense storm, And then like a calm breeze? Hasn't He always been preparing me for His best? YES. Not sure then why about this we are making such a big deal God is able to do a thorough healing - and that healing is real (so real) Doesn't He have better, more wonderful things yet ahead for my heart to feel? YES. Now surely, with those things all brought up and made more clearly bear sway I may as well let go of how I see these things - and let Father seize my day (Psalm 118:24) The new, pure waters sent peace to my heart like angels singing (Proverbs 25:25) - All a preparation of the greater healing God was preparing and bringing (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Greater blessings soon I would see I just had to
Break Free From Past Me
So quick to think those ceilings were me Trapped in the prison of my feelings of inadequacy But what if there was a way out? An escape door - an alternate route? I am more than what I've become - Not designed to be feeling this lost and glum My pain would bring the clues I didn't need to watch the news Observance of my being (Proverbs 4:26) Would lead to a lot more clearer seeing. What was it I truly desired? Could I truly say that my brain was pervertedly-wired? My soul shudders and screams at the thought! There was still a lot of work to do - a lot. Not sure how I let my story get so entangled - Needed to become more clear of where my soul felt so strangled No longer could I afford to remain my past's captive - I needed to let go, run free, and be truly proactive Patience with self in the pains Can lead to a downpour of healing rains Endless peace flowing to my brains🧠(Philippians 4:7) Endless peace flowing to my brains🧠(Philippians 4:7) What I've come to find out is that a fleet of new beliefs Can bring you all kinds of new piecing-togethers and reliefs Perhaps it starts with accepting there's nothing wrong with you Sure, I have plenty of faults - but that's not the flavor of gum I chew (it's not) I have many gems in my life's mine still to break down and unravel And it's true that Satan would like to derail the paths on which I travel It starts subtle, like a bubble Soon enough you feel surrounded by trouble But as long as you don't go there There's not too much he can really do to scare And it's true that Christ hears our loudest or softest voice And in calling out to Him - we're always led to a more abundant choice I was born exactly on time I have been guilty of past thought crime I have made space for what showed me no grace But I am still here - that much is still clear Satan may have tried to worry or rush me But with Father's wide covering - nothing could crush me Soon enough I stopped playing with temptation's foolish games I let go and let myself get lifted up to new aims I let my absolute-fire rhymes carry me to new places - I started to become surrounded by God's timely graces. With each new adventure that began I felt like a new person - a new man With each step that I was empowered to take I was securing for my Future Self a glorious make 🏀 (buckets!) Soon enough I was able to clearly see - All this work was breaking me free from Past Me. In some moments I felt near overwhelmed at all the lost time How could I have been SO stubborn to continue a descent to absolute nowhere? Didn't I care? What about my future wife and kids? Would there be peace, light, and love in my heart still to spare? Able to provide - desiring to be seen and not to hide? Could it be that there was still a gloriously-shining hope ahead for me? It's funny how when you feel the most doomed Jesus is always able to reach you - The best would still be bloomed. The best would still be bloomed. New moments and blessings would all around me be found - The tree within me would start to grow at hyperspeed - From underneath its dormant underground (Psalm 1:1-3) There's a quote that if you feel buried Perhaps you've just been planted I recommend talking to God about these things It'll surely help your vision not get so off and so slanted😅 (been there, done that) God is over all the times and seasons I've surely had my tests (and He has His reasons) But soon enough my eyes caught hold on a new thought and a new rhyme Patience in these pages would take me there (James 1:4, Luke 21:19, Romans 8:25) My promised blessings weren't going anywhere (Revelation 3:8, 2 Timothy 2:13) No worries about if I would again fall I just needed to talk to God about everything And give Him my all. ALL! He'd send peace to me on the wings of a dove - He'd send angels to remind me my future was overflowing with love He's done it many times before Foolish to think He wouldn't do that anymore Just had to trust Him at my deepest core and Climb. Climb. Climb.
There’s Still Time, Just Climb
Better heights I was heading towards (Nehemiah 6:3) I knew it with every step - Father was taking me somewhere higher I was filled with a divinely-personal pep He was leading me to what I needed to see A new future that I never thought I'd be able to see But still of course He wasn't done His plan has barely even begun When the cupboards are bare You can know that there's a loving God above who does care Jesus Christ came to feel and erase our every stain He descended below our deepest sorrow and pain And when you start to understand that It's much more humbling to open up a chat And talk with Heavenly Father about a past care or story You know it's in His hands - and it'll be swallowed up in His glory Give it to Him and never pick it back up anew He is able to heal you - completely, totally, through and through I've surely made plenty of mistakes But these days I spend more time celebrating my past makes Surely both are proof of what my actions can cause At this time it's appropriate to make space for a brief pause. A pause is already pretty brief But when you get that message from your soul's Chief You may as well sit up and listen Let the better moments and light on your soul glisten (bask in it for a while) Letting go of what was before Being led to a new sublimely-wonderful open door (Isaiah 42:16) Peace being filled to every single part of the soul's core - Not feeling like a rotten apple anymore. The higher I climbed The more my visions were sublimed I never looked at my eyes the same way again (Matthew 6:21-22) It is through these I would write my life - It is through these I'd help others get back up again. Higher and higher - Better and better God was healing my deepest agonies Surrounded by endless light in stormy weather. At times in North Carolina I was surrounded by POURING rain But I kept on running, laughing, and rejoicing Knowing that this was healing me from my past pain.
God’s Vision is Really DEEP
Not much more on this for now I'll tell you If you're curious to hear more well you Need to remember that there's no end to how DEEP God's vision for you goes It flows and flows And flows and flows And flows and flows Forever and ever. He is intimately aware and infinitely clever. What seems like the worst ending could be a grand new beginning - Paving a new season - With tons of home-runs, and tons of winning. Just keep climbing - I know at times it's really hard Never forget that Heavenly Father knows of every card Every single possibility - He knows them all Just make sure to listen when He gives you a call to
A New Beginning
Wearing new thought glasses I was able to much better walk through any lukewarm molasses (Revelation 3:16) - I knew it wasn't me At last I was able to see - at last I was able to see. New spring in my step No words can describe the pep In trying though I felt new pieces of my joy guard-railed And it really is epic how gloriously I saw my mind sailed (whoosh!) I let go and I saw God prevailed When I fell short soon enough I found myself mercy-whaled (Jonah 1:9-17) Like Jonah of old I too needed to be bold - To let go and trust God's vision - forever pursuing my life's mission Just grateful to believe Knowing that the best was yet to be achieved (Romans 8:18) It's a really good feeling - When you know your potential has no ceiling It really doesn't matter what others say I'm just going to let go And let God have His way. Grateful for this new beginning Not letting my vision become slanted (Proverbs 29:18) It's not worth the pain associated with that - Yep, of this I have already abundantly ranted. These days I focus on celebrating all my past tries I give myself space to fail and I'm
Soaring Through The Skies
To truly be seen And to know your future is squeaky-clean It fills up from head to toe It fills up with peace that is designed to grow and grow. Just gotta keep on helping provide the right conditions (Not always the most fun of things to do) But it's part of the test - Trusting that God will show you the way through. The bright skies may feel like a cave - Especially when it's been long since your last game save But of these things God is always sublimely aware He looks at us all with a tenderly love and care Man nor woman was ever meant to be alone (Genesis 2:18) God is able to send new friends to call up on the phone And when we feel we're being crushed, and have increasingly low health He's able to signal and send a sublimely-personal rescue, With the most deep, timely, and personal of stealth. Such angels are as timely as they are sublime Surely such things cannot be forced - they have their own perfect time And when we feel our batteries within and focus are lowing He's able to position those people perfectly on our paths - Who see us as glowing (Micah 7:8, 1 John 2:10). With Him I'm ever soaring - His blessings keep pouring (Luke 6:38) For Him I'll keep on rising Each day my precious eyes He's surprising (Lamentations 3:22-23). No ends to what can be done For a life that feels beyond busted up and unsung Who then surrenders their all To the God who is perfectly aware of every sparrow's fall. (every one - Matthew 10:29) No limits for that woman or man Their legacy will forever echo into the eternities - By themselves perhaps they can't but with God They definitely can (Luke 1:37). And though at times An eagle is asked to fly for a long season seemingly alone (Ecclesiastes 3:1) The best is surely ahead for it - Its greatest moments may still be shared - Its greatest victories may one day be known.
Let’s Build This, Together
So, let's build this together Surely there's going to be ahead some rough weather But last time I checked God is perfect at getting His promised blessings poured And the game completely changed when I let His basket count - and it was scored Let's focus on listening to His voice - Embracing the chance to make a choice Grateful for the freedom we each feel (Galatians 5:1) Trusting in His love forever - That is as deep as it is real (Romans 8:35-39). Let's remember that the best is ahead As at night we each lay down our head Knowing that every trouble and trial God surely has already in His paperwork and file NO END to the depths at which He can deliver (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) NO END to the love He has ready in His quiver (Isaiah 49:2) Let's let Him fight our battles (Exodus 14:14, 1 Samuel 17:47) And when our ship of life teeters and rattles Again trusting that He'll work it all out for our good (Romans 8:28) The ship isn't going down - if it's built with His wood. I'm talking about the kind that forever inspires - The kind that lifts and never ever tires The type that compounds and wins no matter the stakes - I'm talking about the kind that a perfect Father makes. Let's let Him build our lives anew Let's let Him prepare our life's luxurious stew Knowing that He's able to put all the ingredients together gloriously Surely we can trust His perfect timing - What is vital now is to just keep on climbing. (keep going!) He's a much better cook than you or I (SO MUCH BETTER) And He's perfectly aware of all the tears that we each cry (every single one) Tears led to new channels Channels led to new oceans New oceans means a brand-new me That's the vision I now live in and see Perhaps this sounds like it was simple and painless, Or that it was over pretty quickly... NOPE. The truth is That I was boiled alive 😆 I really didn't think I'd make it this far - This close to reaching a much brighter star I've surely been put through a rigorous campaign Suited with a deep, roaring healing 🦁 It's helped me to forever look up - Fixed on an endlessly rising ceiling 🦅 It was well worth it. It was ALL worth it.
At Last, The Water is Again Clean
For a time my heart was tossed, raked over the coals, and boiled 😆 (for real though!)
But I have emerged as gold with His help -
Satan's plot to ensnare me was foiled.
And it'll stay that way forever -
As long as I remember that God is aware
Of my every click, keystroke, and endeavor
And especially as I remember -
That in His eyes are radiantly-glowing mercy -
In His eyes are radiantly-glowing mercy.
No end to the mercies that He can instantly send
No end to the peace I can feel as I let my knees bend
He is playing an infinitely-bigger game.
As I trust Him and courageously play along -
I'm left never feeling the same.
Praying when I don't understand
Helps me to better hold onto His mighty hand
He is aware of my every today and tomorrow
He is mighty to comfort me in all of my sorrow
His eyes are on you and I
His eyes comprehend and see an infinitely-wonderful sky
They are an infinitely consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29)
They are endlessly able to inspire
Not sure why I'd ever once again so fear man
Especially as I remember that God sees my potential and He can.
He'd really rather me
Not continue to whine about my current feelings of inadequacy
But let Him use me as an instrument in His glorious hands (2 Timothy 2:20-22) -
And surrender to Him
All my hopes and plans (His are much bigger than mine - Proverbs 3:5-6).
I'll shout it from the rooftops
For all the days of my life that I shall live
No end to the mercy that can be poured into a soul -
No end to the blessings God is able to give.
I was a fool to think
That for my past mistakes God would blink
And forget about me - this I now so clearly see
The flowing within me is again squeaky clean
My story is still being written - that much is clearly seen
I still have a really long way to go
But I am thankful that I am able to let these words flow
I understand that not everyone of me saying all this will be a fan
But that's not the focus of my short life span.
I intend to let these things flow - and let it all out
I look forward to continually being lifted to a higher route
I rejoice that nowadays my inner child is much more often heard -
Following that precious boy's ideas helps me take off like a majestic bird
I am more than a common trout
I'm an eagle who still has lots to talk about
I'm not a common fish
That's stuck on a tree - stuck on a lost wish
I am exactly where I need to be -
I am soaring and I am free.
I am soaring and I am free -
I am exactly where I need to be.
I'm going to keep on soaring -
The blessings from Heaven are going to keep on pouring.
Gonna make a BIG splash in due time -
For now I'm just chilling in a peace that is beyond sublime
I'll continue to ride this glorious wave -
Rejoicing forever in our Savior, Jesus Christ -
He is mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17).
Grateful for all that He's done in me
Grateful that the best is ahead -
And with these eyes I will soon see -
I will soon see.
I love it bro! Keep writing. I’ll do my best to keep up!