speaking truth in loveliness
oh, i need You!
every hour i do, but it’s
here
in these frail,
crumbling moments when
my courage is dying
that i lay down
the weights
and let my muscles tremble
in Your arms.
it’s here
at the end of my
frayed, weathered rope
when i fear the next step
that i lay down
my pride
and let my heart break
in Your hands.
More poetry today!:)
lead me gently
hold my hand in Thy
strong ones
guiding me across these jagged shards
my shattered past and dreams
have left here on this road
clear Thou the path before my feet
strengthen my hands, my heart to
lift the boulders keeping any part of me
from Thee
lead Thou me on until I’m safely
home
Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash
Hello, friends!
I’ve been having fun writing off of these flash fic prompts this July. Today’s prompt was awake – and for me, it inspired more of a freestyle poem than a piece of flash fiction. I decided to fly with that idea… and here’s what happened!:)
stop living your life like it’s endless.
it’s not.
make the most of each
song
conversation
quick talk
goodbye hug
every moment
you have with this life, or else
soon
the tomorrows you planned for and wanted
so badly
may fade into days of regret.
live this life
to the hilt
awake
so that you may see clearly
the mist
of your trembling mortality.
Hello, friends!
Graduation – for me at least – is/was a bittersweet time. Yes, you’re saying goodbye to several things. But you’re also opening the door to SO much!!
Soak it all in, graduates. Thank God for the past. Trust him for the future. This poem is for you.💕
I’m striking out into waters unknown –
Waters I’ve spent hours dreaming of.
In my dreams the ocean called my name –
The wind sang a melody that
gripped me.
I longed to dip my toes into the waters of
adulthood.
But my childhood
and the familiar
have twined about my throat and blossomed
memories.
The smell is sweet –
how can I tear them away?
I look ahead at the ocean stretched before me.
It’s darker than I thought.
Rougher, too.
Tears well in my eyes as Time pushes me to the
water’s edge.
I’m scared.
How can I make my way in such a storm?
I don’t even know where I’m going.
Slowly, light ebbs across the waves,
and I can see the path I’m standing on
continue
through the sea.
I cannot see its twists and turns,
but the path is
still there.
I’m simply traveling on –
doing what I was made to do.
Slowly
tenderly
I pluck the flowers from the vines and
tuck them away
where their fragrance will always
linger near.
I take the tangled vines,
gently loosing their grasp.
I let them fall now to the shore
and I step into the sea.
I’m struck by how often the Bible exhorts God’s people to remember what has happened in the past. This poem came from my thoughts on that.:)
remember
when you walked in that
storm
even though I said
no
that the rain clouds were
close to you
close and
dark
remember
when I ran through the
rain
to go get you and you
cried
on my chest, told me
you would
remember
next time
and so here we are at
next time
I don’t think you
remembered
I didn’t ask you to
keep
all that guilt in your
soul
or that feeling of
fear
that is flooding you now
darling, no.
just remember
in the rain and the
wind
I was there in the
night
I was there
for
you
remember.
Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash
Happy Thursday, all!
May I present to you… a poem.
a master of disguise is
staring down
the tearful, trembling girl who whimpers
in the mirror.
“behave yourself…
go out and show the world that
you’re just fine.”
a smile plastered for so long and with
such skill
oh, they can’t see
the knot
that’s weighing heavy deep inside
tangible weight
that pulls at propped up corners of her lips
oh, they can’t feel
the sobs
that rip her lungs as
tears
are pouring down her swollen face
and they can’t read
the thoughts
she can’t untangle in her mind or know
the agony
that’s swelling in her chest
oh, they can’t see
and they can’t feel
and they can’t read
and so she cries
and wonders why
and plasters on the mask
Another poem for you today!
The spikes they drive into Your hands
Are pinning down the base demands
My flesh makes of this life.
Poured onto You is all the wrath
I’ve pent up for myself – this bath
Of pain was meant for me.
Whippings
Stabbings
Piercings
Shame –
Hatred
Malice
Awful stains
Of sin were bringing these on me
But You stepped in, said, “Let her free –
I love her – punish Me.”
I weep here as I hear You groan
In agony I have not known
Because of what I’ve done.
How could I bring such awful pain
On You – the One Who speaks my name
With love and songs of joy?
The sky is black – Your voice is loud
“It is finished!” hears the crowd
Before You bow Your head.
Rumblings
Crumblings
Quakings
Dead
Are stirring –
Now lift up their heads
As sin’s dark curse forever breaks –
The broken heart inside me shakes
In awe of what You’ve done.
This matchless love – like crashing waves –
Has swept this haughty white-washed grave
And washed it of its rights.
I see this life’s not truly mine –
You gave me Yours for all of time
The day You died for me.
Such love deserves all I can give –
All that I want now is to live
To hear You say, “Well done.”
Friendships
Free time
Choices –
They
Are Yours –
I pray, Lord, day by day
To live this life to make You proud
And unashamed to be my God.
I love you, Lord – I’m Yours.
First of all, the photo has absolutely nothing to do with this poem. But who doesn’t like knotholes on old doors?:)
As the title says, I wrote this poem three years ago this spring. At the time, it was my pride and joy. While I can now see many of its flaws, it still holds a special place in my heart. One of the reasons I love it is because it points me back to simple truth. I hope it can be a blessing to you, as well.
I don’t understand.
I don’t.
There are times, Lord,
When I,
The pen in Your hand,
Long to
Spring from Your mighty
All-knowing
Grasp, with a cry of,
“No, no!
That isn’t the way!
Here!
Let me show You how!”
But that
Is as silly as a toddler
Grasping
The brush of a masterful artist.
A clock
Does no good without clockwork
And so
I do no good without You.
With no
Master I lie here, my ink pouring
Out
A miserable, meaningless
Blot.
But in Your loving hand
My life
Is a song – a beautiful witness
To You.
So here – take my tears, though many
There be
And do what You will with them.
And here –
Take my years, though few they may
Be
And use them to glorify
You.
Happy Monday, all!
(It really is a happy Monday… the weather is amazing here right now.)
So… I procrastinated this past weekend. Imagine that. So today scampers around and fills up with a few time-consuming surprises. Thus, we ditch all plans for a thought-provoking article (because it remains half-written at present) and default to…
A poem.
I wrote this one last month, I think, and I really love it. I hope you do, too.:)
can’t remember
a time
I didn’t know
You loved me.
always
each day
You sang a song of love
to me
so freely
it didn’t matter how
I’d hurt You with
the words I’d said
the thoughts I’d
cherished
You
were always there
chasing
my heart
You were
relentless
in Your love
still are
I wonder what I did
with these dirty hands
to earn
Your faithfulness
how could I be so
vile
and yet so
loved
by the God of
holiness?
blood
drips
down
love
gave
all
for me
I’m free
free to love You
delight in You
serve You
give all for You
some call it
mad –
is it
mad
to give all
for the
One
you
love?
who gave
all
for
you?
friend, meet love.
It’s poetry time again, friends! Don’t tell me you aren’t excited.:)
Most of my poems are just the overflow of my emotions and reflections. However, on rare occasion I’ll be inspired to write a poem based on something I’ve seen or experienced. This piece is the product of just such a rare occasion.
A few nights ago I was with my youngest sisters, telling them a bedtime story. I noticed that when I would pause for dramatic effect (and let’s admit it, a few extra seconds to come up with my next words:) ), they were leaning over me, eyes big, hands grabbing my arm, every part of their being poured into waiting and watching for what I would say next. It got me thinking…
their eyes are wide
gaze into mine
as I twist the words into
stories.
I’ve captured their minds
and the rhythm of time
grinds now to a stop as they
listen.
little eyes
little ears
always there
always here
on my words
on my deeds
every act
is a seed
falling soft on the
ground of their
hearts –
fertile ground –
precious hearts
of the leaders
to come.
little words
little deeds
I will watch you –
no weeds
can survive
in this life of mine
rest in the dust of times
hated, you beasts
may you never find feasts
in my heart to fulfil
the base lusts of your will
for
their eyes and
their ears are upon me
I need
to remember
remember
I’m leading
the leaders
the world-shaking leaders
to come.
Laurel Luehmann 