Let Me Be Loved and Other Poems

by Bethany Peck

LET ME BE LOVED

I used to dream 

of doing grand things for God 

and now, 

as the wrinkles 

start to wrap around my eyes, 

I simply want to sit 

in his presence 

in a garden in spring 

and just be loved 

by who he is— 

gazing upon his beauty.

And perhaps 

the glow of my smile 

and the shine in those eyes 

will change more lives 

for love 

than all those things 

I thought I’d do.

THE GARDEN WITHIN

after Isaiah 58:11

When ache overwhelms,

I listen to the river within—

the waters I’m desperate for

when a quiet day comes. 

And I stumble, singed

on sun-scorched places— 

the parts of my heart

that feel like famine—

desperately wandering

and wondering why.

So, I search for oasis,

idols like vapors,

but I’m beckoned to sit,

to rest,

to weep, 

to listen—

for Christ 

and his comfort.

At his feet, 

I remember, 

with eucharisteo,

to give thanks for the manna

that guides me to him.

Ever gently he whispers;

my soul is a haven,

a home to a garden

well-watered and lush.

He’s provided a spring,

his love and his Spirit.

Both streams that are flowing

and never run dry—

to create,

to renew, 

to pursue

life, abundant and free—

all that I need. 

BETAHNY PECK

Bethany Peck is a writer and photographer living near the beautiful Chesapeake Bay in northeastern Maryland. She loves nature and writes about experiencing God's love through creation at bethanypeck.org and on Instagram at @beautiful_purpose_writing. She’s been featured in Fathom Magazine, The Way Back to Ourselves, The Clayjar Review, and other outlets. In her day job, she gets to write stories for local ministries in the Baltimore area. She and her dog, Hunter, stay active by hiking, paddleboarding, and enjoying long evening walks.