Two Streets Over

Two streets over… Grace was already moving Before we even knew His name. Two streets over from the pain God was calling out our names We were drowning in the dark But He was walking through the rain Be still… I heard Him say Even when we ran away Two streets over from the grave Mercy made a way She had railroad tracks on her arms, shaking hands in a bathroom stall Needle like a promise that would never break her fall Bible on the shelf collecting dust and regret Said, “When the prayers didn’t work, the heroin did — best bet.” But Heaven was crying every time she tied that vein She called it provision but it only brought pain Two streets over, young boy sipping that vodka Razor on the sink, heart colder than a lockbox Never knew scripture, never held the Word Only thing he ever heard was silence when it hurt They met in a house where the smoke stayed thick But grace don’t knock soft — grace kicks in quick Under cotton hills and satin lies A gold-lettered truth caught both their eyes Two streets over from the pain God was calling out our names We were drowning in the dark But He was walking through the rain Be still… I heard Him say Even when we ran away Two streets over from the grave Mercy made a way Hospital lights, three letters on a sheet H-I-V hit like concrete She cursed every god she knew how to blame He just whispered prayers through the shame She said, “Where was God when my daddy died?” He said, “I don’t know… but He’s here tonight.” Church sign read Psalm forty-six ten She ran from the door, he ran back in He started changing, started speaking hope Street corners preaching to dealers with dope Men with guns started bowing their heads Grace got louder than the lies she said He screamed at Heaven when she pulled that trigger Blood on his hands, faith getting bigger Night turned quiet, presence turned peace “Trust Me, son… death ain’t the end of this.” Two streets over from the fall Grace was standing through it all Even when the bullet flew He was reaching through it all Be still… don’t lose your breath Hope is louder than your death Two streets over from your sin Love is calling you again Two streets over… From addiction From depression From the bridge From the grave Grace was already there. Be still.