Just Breathe

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I’m trying to stretch my writing wings a little so attempted something new yesterday…..”Story Tweeting”!  Basically telling a true story in tweets on Twitter.  The prompt was to write about a time you held your breath.  I didn’t expect to write about this situation and was surprised the raw feelings were still there!  That’s a mom for you!  Being it’s Mother’s Day tomorrow I guess it was exactly what I was supposed to write! Funny how that works.

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

We hugged.  I didn’t want to let go!  It felt as if my heart was being torn in two and I didn’t think it would be possible to feel whole again.  A lump formed in my throat constricting my breath.  One last look and I turned.

Out the door! Down the stairs! Through the crowded lobby!  All the while holding my breath because I knew I was going further and further away from the scent of her and once I exhaled it would be gone and the tears would come.  And of course, I did and they did.

Leaving my baby, my daughter at college left ME full of emotion. Pride, excitement, fear, sorrow all weaving around into a tight knot around my heart.  I didn’t know how to be a mom without kids at home! It seemed impossible but there I was heading back to an empty nest.

Taking me by the hand, my husband gently told me to put one foot in front of the other and to just breathe.  Sounds simple doesn’t it? This momma’s here to tell you it takes practice and lots of prayer! And just when you think you might make it, you get a call….She’s engaged!  Oh boy, here we go again!

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Include ~ Five Minute Friday

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Writing today with the Five Minute Friday crew on  the prompt “Include”. Lot’s of things ran through my mind when I found out that was the word we’d be writing to.  It will be interesting to see what develops!  You’ll find lots of “Include” inspiration if you hop over to Kate’s site at:
http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

Setting the timer now:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV) / Pixabay

On the first day of every school year I began my introduction in the same way.  I let the children know that their teacher was just a little (or a lot) crazy….different; and of course, I was telling them the truth.  Because that’s how I felt, my teaching career was spent trying to create classrooms with a family atmosphere. A place where once the children walked through the door they’d sense that they were loved, encouraged, and safe.  A place that would include and embrace each of our uniquenesses.  Some years were easier than others. Hard as I tried, there were times when a child just didn’t fit in. And honestly, there were times I didn’t fit in either.

Agonizing one day, over what to do to help a child feel accepted, it occurred to me (thanks Holy Spirit) that as Christians, we’re not to include ourselves into the world.  We’re supposed to feel left out, off-kilter, EXCLUDED! What a relief that realization was to this “different kinda gal”.  It’s so easy to answer the invitation to become just like everyone else; especially in this social media driven society. It’s uncomfortable to stand out and feel alone.  But, here’s the Good News!  We aren’t by ourselves! We are included in the family of God; a safe place where we are encouraged to become more like Him and loved every step of the way.

I never found one answer to helping all my children but I have found The One who offers to include “crazy me” in all His plans and a place where I fit in just perfectly.  How about you?

 

Adapt ~ Five Minute Friday

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I was looking through old photos this week and when I learned that the Five Minute Friday prompt was “Adapt”, I thought this picture was perfect!  This is my first school picture as a teacher circa. 1982. Oh the hair!!! Keep reading to see how I’ve had to adapt and if you want to read more, hop on over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com 

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

Time starts now…..

Teaching was my dream but when I arrived in rural West Virginia for my first job, where there was no stop light, no fast food, and no one I knew; I planned to teach for one year and then move on to a bigger and better place.  Little did I know back then, that God had other plans.  36 years later, I’m here to tell you that this naive city girl had a lot to adapt to in her new life! A life I hadn’t planned on. A life I wasn’t really prepared for!

Isn’t that just the way of life though?  We’re moving along with a dream and a plan in our heart and then…..SURPRISE! God has different ideas (and a sense of humor!).  If anyone had told “young me” that I’d live a life in the country where I would know the breed of a cow by looking at her (or would even know it was a her), would come to find the smell of manure familiar and not unpleasant, or eat eggs, meat, and vegetables that didn’t come from a store but rather from hard work, I’d have told them they were crazy! And yet, Here. I. Am.

God brought me and left me here because He knew this IS my “bigger and better” place! I always say that I’ve learned much more than I’ve ever taught . It wasn’t always easy, (I’m sure I whined more than a little to God) but I can’t imagine living any where else now.  I’ve found love, kindness, beauty, and yes, purpose…..my life is a living testimony that God’s purpose DOES prevail!  And oh! Guess what?  I now have to adapt to city life when I go home for a visit. I’m truly a country gal at heart and blessed beyond measure that God exchanged my plans for His!

 

 

God’s Precious Song

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OK, I know it’s May First but the idea for this poem came to me late last night (April 30th) so if you’ll allow me some leeway, here is my final National Poetry Writing Month Challenge poem for 2018. Only wrote 14 out of 30 again.  Well, there’s always next year, I guess!

I was recently blessed to hear the musical talents of Gospel Singer, Cindy Sites.  Her lyrics and testimony touched me so deeply.  As I thought back over her performance the thought came to me that she is “God’s Song”. And so, this poem was born.  This is for Cindy from Cindy!

“He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:3 (NLT) / Pixabay

God’s Precious Song

Her heart is revealed
Through the words that she sings.
Melodies so sweet.
God’s message she brings.

Sharing her grief.
Proclaiming her praise.
Touching our souls
With a grace that’ll amaze!

Sing, sweet friend!
Sing loud and clear.
There’s applause in Heaven
As your voice is lifted down here.

Some have tried to quiet you,
But they were in the wrong.
Yours is a gift given from above
And YOU are God’s precious song.

 

Stuck ~ A Five Minute Friday Poem

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Five Minute Friday is always challenging.  Getting a prompt and trying to write to it for five minutes and leaving it basically unedited.  HaHa! Those of you who know me or read many of my posts know that this ole perfectionist has a hard time with that!  Even though I’m a rule follower, I often exceed the five minutes and I usually edit.  Writing a poem for Five Minute Friday poses even a greater challenge!  It’s a challenge I enjoy, however!  I hope you enjoy whats developed today.  If you want to read more about “Stuck” click over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8: 36 (NLT) / Pixabay

Stuck

Like a carousel round and round,
Getting no where fast.
Or in a chair, back and forth
Each rock the same as the last.

Like words of a song over and over,
Whirling in your mind.
Or hands of the clock that do not move
Because someone forgot to wind.

Like tires in snow buried deep.
They spin instead of go.
Or a traffic jam when you don’t have time
And cars are moving slow.

Like life at times for all of us,
When it seems we’re sinking deep.
Or when we sense a calling
But we’re too afraid to leap.

Like when our hearts are frozen
Paralyzed with fear.
Or when we need a helping hand
But a hand is no where near.

Let’s face it friends, we can all feel stuck
And long to be set free.
We tire of struggling on our own
So fall on bended knee.

When we call upon our Savior
We’re no longer stuck alone.
He’ll guide us to His sweet release.
He won’t leave us on our own.

Like living water flowing free,
Refreshing to the soul.
Or a healing touch that let’s us move
On legs that’ve been made whole.

So when you’re feeling trapped in life
Finding no way out of the muck.
Reach for the Lifeline from above.
And TRULY get unstuck.

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Lesson From the Bird Feeder

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“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) / Pixabay

Lesson from the Bird Feeder

Birds flitter here. 
Birds flutter there.
They eat of my seed
Without worry or care.

This is, until
The bully appears.
His size alone
Ignites all their fears.

A loud “CAW” fills the air.
They can’t miss the blue plume.
He spreads out his wings
And takes all the room.

He eats ’til he’s full
While they hide from his sight.
Lacking courage to dare him
Try as they might.

As I watched the whole scene
It struck me today.
It’s not just the birds.
I’m exactly the same way!

I’m living my life.
Things are moving along.
Then the bully chimes in
Saying I’ve done it all wrong.

She continues to chant
Lots of negative stuff.
Why do I listen
And not shout “enough”?

Just like the birds
I change what I do.
And believe when she says
“You aren’t able to see it through.”

She continues her assault.
Her list is so long.
My heart feels condemned 
Where there once was a song.

It’s time to stand up to her
But it’s not easy, you see.
The bully that’s always taunting
Is the voice inside of ME!

 

I recently read an insightful blog post called “Waking Up to the Power of Positive Self-Talk” by Cindy Krall at http://www.cindykrall.com

It got me to thinking back and wondering if I’d ever experienced being bullied.  Sure kids had called me names because of the curly ball of hair on my head and my “Pollyanna-ish” personality; but imagine my surprise when I had the realization that the biggest bully I’ve ever encountered was myself.  The things that I tend to say to myself are things I would NEVER say to anyone else.  It’s made me realize that I need to change my self-talk. I now wonder what I might have accomplished if I hadn’t been telling myself I wasn’t good enough or that I couldn’t do it.  How about you?  What words do you use to talk to yourself?  If you find yourself like me, I hope you’ll join with me and begin to mute that bully’s voice and instead, turn “Pollyanna” up full blast! And always remember that as the verse from 2 Corinthians says above, “Christ’s power is made perfect in weakness”.

**For you youngsters Pollyanna is a Disney character who was known for her positive, uplifting attitude.

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Follow

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Only five days of April left.  If I’m going to meet the Poetry challenge I set for myself this month, I’m going to have to write a poem every one of those five days!  This poem was inspired by my little Magnolia tree.  In the process of putting in our new home, we had to take down a very large Pine Tree.  Despite the care taken by the men removing the tree, part of it landed on this Magnolia when it fell, splitting it right in half.  Of course, I (the negative Nellie I am) knew it was going to die for sure.  As often happens, I was proven wrong.  As I was admiring the blooms this spring it struck me that despite being broken and thought dead, it is bathed in beauty and living up to its potential!  That got me thinking about myself and how I offer up a lot of excuses why I can’t (or won’t) follow through on what I believe God is calling me to do and thus not really living up to my potential.  And so, this poem was born.  As I began to write, lessons I’m learning in a study of the book: “Come With Me” by Suzanne Eller also became woven into the poem….Maybe, just maybe you can relate to it too.

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

Follow

We might be broken.
We might be bruised.
But that doesn’t mean
We can’t be used.

Too old? Too Young?
We really shouldn’t care.
We’re all given gifts
That only we can share.

A look at our calendars
There just isn’t space.
We say we’ll try again next time
Then resume our busy pace.

Who me? Surely not!
Isn’t she a better fit?
I could never do what you’re asking
It’s out of my comfort zone just a bit!

We have lots of excuses
When God’s voice we hear.
He’s calling us to action.
What is it that we fear?

When Jesus called the disciples
They answered without looking back.
He promised to be with them
And what they needed they wouldn’t lack.

It’s the same today, my friends
He calls; “Come with Me”!
So, up out of your chair, off your phone,
Answer yes and you’ll see.

Despite all our worries
And reasons to say no,
We have love beyond measure
And seeds of kindness to sow.

The thirteenth disciple
That is our place.
The hands and heart of Jesus
Sharing His grace.

Time is short, the need great.
No more delay!
He’s calling us to follow
Will you walk with Him today?

** You can learn more about Suzanne Eller at http://www.suzanneeller.com

Many Shades of Happy

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So, here we are…Poem #10!  Not bad in 15 days if I may say so myself!  This is a special poem at that!  In a little less than two months, my baby sister is going to be the “Mother of the Groom” as she watches her middle son get married.  From experience, I know there are many emotions that go along with having your child become someone’s spouse; thus the title:  Many Shades of Happy.  This one is for Barbie.

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 (NASV)

Many Shades of Happy

You carried him snuggled near your heart
and your heart is where he’ll stay.
Hockey falls and football scares
from the stands you’ve had to pray.

Middle child through and through
with an irresistible grin.
All grown up; teaching school
and coaching for the win!

Now here you are:  Mother of the groom
wondering where time has gone.
He’s planning life with someone new
while you watch him move on.

You’ve done your job so very well;
look on with cherished pride.
Your family’s growing larger,
making room for his sweet bride.

It’s a time for many shades of happy
and maybe a few momma’s tears.
Yes, in your heart he’s staying,
just adding more love to last through the years.

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MiMi’s Love

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“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NLT)

MiMi’s Love
For Carson and Owen 

He puts his little hand in mine, 
all the world is right. 
I don’t want him to change too fast
and so I hold on tight. 

His face is full of wonder
at everything he sees.
There are no more precious times
than days I spend like these.

Stories, jokes, and secrets to tell
that MiMi’s only know.
Songs to be sung, prayers to be said,
such a miracle to see him grow.

I thought I understood all about love,
but I didn’t have a clue.
Until they laid him in my arms
and suddenly then I knew.

A MiMi’s love is fashioned from
the love of God’s own son. 
Given freely as a gift
to each and every one. 

What a privilege it is to share
a love so divine
With the one who has my heart
and puts his hand in mine.

The Other Side ~ Five Minute Friday

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It’s time for me to bring my Five Minute Friday writing and my poem a day goal together again.  This week’s prompt is “other”. Think of all the possibilities!  To read the ideas of “others” on this prompt click over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 (NLT) / Pixabay

The Other Side

When you’re talking over coffee and the words become hotter than what’s in the cup:

Listen to the other side.

When you’re hurt because a friend who’s always been there seems to have forgotten you:

Remember there’s always the other side.

When you’re blinded by all the bad being shared everywhere you look:

Discover the good in the other side.

When someone is lost in the dark and too afraid to go on:

Shine the light to the other side.

In a world where so many don’t know their way and are clinging to the edge:

Be the bridge to the other side.

When you feel that to listen, remember, discover, shine, and be,  are just too much to bear, don’t grow weary. You’re never alone:

Jesus is on the other side!

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