Category Archives: Poetic Insights

God’s Precious Song

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)

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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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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The Worry Remedy

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“Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.” Glenn Turner

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27 (NIV) / Pixabay

W hittles tirelessly away; making shards of my soul.

O verpowered by the width and depth of my fears.

R estricting peace, hope, and my very breath.

R eveals the “You of little faith” that I am.

Y ielding my illusion of control to God’s perfect plan is the only remedy.

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Discontent

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Does anyone else find it crazy how discontent we are? We wish for our bodies to be different. We want a different job or house or car…..the list goes on. We wish for her life or her kids. It’s too hot or too cold. We’re too young or too old! I catch myself complaining way too much when I am living such a blessed life. Of course, there are challenges but no matter what circumstances we face, We. Are. Not. On. Our. Own. We need to take a lesson from Paul (note to self!) “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation……I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!”

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:12-13 (NIV)

Discontent
(Inspired by waking up to snow on the Magnolia buds this morning)

Snow, snow
Go away!
It’s time to leave.
You’ve had your say!

Spring, Spring
Come right on in.
We’re more than ready
For you to begin!

Rain, rain
We’ve had enough!
Your mud and gloom
Makes doing things tough.

Summer, Summer
We need you fast!
Swimming pools, fireflies,
And days that last.

Heat, heat
You leave me weak!
Please give me a break
From sweat running down my cheek.

Snow, snow
Oh, how we’ve missed you!
Send us a downfall
Making the world seem fresh and new.

What You Do

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“Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path. Proverbs 23:19 (NIV) / Pixabay

What You Do

What is it that you do
When Jesus calls your name,
To step in deeper waters
Where you’ll never be the same?

What is it that you do
When He knocks at your door
Beckoning to enter in
And change your life once more?

What is it that you do
When God meets you on the road
Giving new direction
Offering help with your load?

What is it that you do
When you see Him on a tree
Realizing without a doubt
He died for you and me?

Answer yes!
Invite Him In!
Follow His lead! .
Repent of your sin!

That is what you do
When for Him you want to live.
He’s asking for one thing, my friend
Our hearts to Him we give

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My Sea of Thought

Sharing Stories and Lessons as I Embark in the Everyday

Category Archives: Poetic Insights

God’s Precious Song

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Stuck ~ A Five Minute Friday Poem

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Lesson From the Bird Feeder

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Follow

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Many Shades of Happy

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The Other Side ~ Five Minute Friday

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The Worry Remedy

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Discontent

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What You Do

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The Passing of Time

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