The battleground
Posted by appolus on October 27, 2021
When I tell people that I am going home to Scotland, many people say, innocently enough, things like "oh that must be really nice, I wish I was coming with you, you are so lucky." I usually just nod and smile. How can they know that Scotland to me, in great part, is the land of my lost childhood. The land where I buried my son, where I almost lost another. Some of the darkest years of my life were swallowed up by alcohol and drugs, lost in oblivion, in the land of my birth. And yet I do love it. I love the people. I love the mountains and the valleys and the river that ran through my valley, the River Clyde. It is emblazoned upon my mind. Here below is a poem I wrote which might give you a better understanding of what it means for me to "go home." I wrote it to the fallen pieces of my heart that I left behind so long ago. I am sure many Americans could relate to this, it would just be the their own small town, the place of their birth. The battleground. I'm now going back to the battleground To see if the pieces of my heart can be found I left them where they fell so many years ago In the midst of a perpetual winter, underneath the falling snow I want to gather them up and tell them where I've been Of the sunshine that I've walked in and the glory I have seen A land so far from this place, that dwells on higher ground Far removed from the frozen land and from the battleground And so to all the pieces that I had to leave behind I have a brand new heart and a fully restored mind Amidst the flame and fire of the battles long ago Ive come to show you something of what it means to grow. The heart that's cut to pieces and memories departed He came to raise you up again and heal the brokenhearted He'll take from all the ashes, and there beauty shall be found Where once was broken pieces amidst the battleground.
A Call To The Remnant 
Mary said
A beautiful expression of the new creation that you have become in Christ. Appreciate your sharings and encouragements to the Body of Christ 💜
appolus said
Thank you Mary, a new creation indeed by the power of Jesus……..bro Frank
lcbrack said
Thank you so much for sharing a little of your past and this beautiful poem. My husband’s family came over from Scotland to New Brunswick Ca. and then to Maine. We have never been ourselves ( only on a short trip to N. Ireland to see friends years ago) We have wanted to go but God has planted us here in Maine and has yet opened the door for us to go. : ) I am sharing this with our youngest son( 47 yrs) who has just moved back here near us and I think he will identify with your poem a lot. Blessings to you and yours. Loy Leslie ps Calling your “home”the battleground is so appropriate I think. I feel the same about my home town.
>
appolus said
God bless you sister, and your family too. I think you are far from being alone when it comes to people’s hometowns. Much of the American story is about “escaping,” from small towns and oftentimes the small town mentality……bro Frank
Anonymous said
How ironic I’ve been sober now 6years and nine months exactly and I’ve never been to Scotland…My Cousin is there now and is planning on doing missionary work there in the near future..thank you for sharing..sometimes I feel that way about where I live in Michigan although I’ve never left Michigan…I pray you find peace when you go there to Scotland mostly I guess with your past..I can so relate..
appolus said
I found peace in Jesus, He healed me many years ago. Scotland certainly needs missionaries…….bro Frank