Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

April is poetry month, so I'd like to invite you join in on a fun challenge. Go here to participate in writing a poem a day for the month. Sounds challenging, huh? In honor of poetry month, I'd like to post a special poem written by my six year old. She's a natural. It is winter. The smell of fresh is the wushing wind. The Polar bear is roring like this ror!!! Polar bears are very cool and big. The smell of fresh is coming very soon. (Spelling errors left intact to authenticate the six year-ness of the poem :)

Dishes in the sink Kids in the tub Doing more than I think Humanly possible, that's the rub Eating my vegetables Cutting out coupons Washing a basin full of stubbles while putting the toothpaste cap on Folding the jeans, sweaters and socks Vaccuming the popcorn off the couch Putting things in their place, even the rocks Sit up tall, walk with grace, don't slouch Falling upon the bed wearily, wondering Did I do all I could? Did I do all I should? My savior smiles, understanding, forgiving. We leave something incomplete everyday, whether it's an area of housework, school, work, friendship, ministry ~ because we are finite." ~ from The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer~ fi·nite \ˈfī-ˌnīt\ adjective 1 a: having definite or definable limits b: having a limited nature or existence 2: completely determinable in theory or in fact by counting, measurement, or thought 3 a: less than an arbitrary positive integer and greater than the negative of that integer b: havi...

You are treasure to me. Yes, YOU! If you have come by here and encouraged me by your presence, you are a treasure. Please go visit Next Step of Faith to read my poem.

Psalm 19:1-2 NIV “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” Golden rays of joy dance with pink skirted ladies along a tangerine river. Suddenly an angel fire of crimson leaps into the scene as a lavender dress slips in to join the ball. They dance for the joy of Jesus, for the glory of God. Dancing partners shift and pause to watch the glorious becoming as each one in turn transforms from one hue to another. Darkness is stealing in but the dancers continue on. Slowly each one tiptoes off the stage and meanders home. After a short interlude new performers begin to tune up their instruments and prepare for the night-time display. The black curtain darkens the stage and one by one, splashes of shimmering light sing out a song of praise. The beacons dance into formation joining arms and singing softly of The Way. A silver crescent hangs in the center of the spark...

The air is as crisp as the juicy tart Macintosh I bite into as I meander down the dirt path. Overhead, the canopy explodes with vibrant shades of autumn – the foliage is on fire blazing a chorus of praise to the Creator of all. As a gentle breeze sings through the flames, crackling noises accompany the dancing hues of crimson and gold. A few sparks fly loose and tumble to the ground at my feet. I kick around the dying flames which have not turned to ashes, not yet at least. The crystal sky is set as a clear backdrop to the majesty of the Artist’s work and the scent of remembrance is in the air. In order to appreciate the artistry around me, I must look up; I look up through the flames to heaven and my vision is refocused on eternity. The earth, my home, has been on this path before – its cyclical elliptical path never changing year after year and it has returned to this spot so many miles from the sun once again. My pace slows as I recall the past times in this place on the pat...

Plans…(Jeremiah 29:11) I have plans for you. They are great, wonderful, marvelous plans bursting with blessings. But first. First, we need to take care of this issue of sin – the insidious black rot that is taking over your soul. Drastic measures must be taken to remove the filth that pervades your heart. It will hurt. For a time. I’m sorry that it’s come to this. I gave you opportunities every day to acknowledge me but you stubbornly closed your eyes, clenched your teeth and shook your self-centered fist at heaven. You ignored me and worse, you imagined you were in control of your life. So now I’m forced to use drastic measures to get your attention. After the disaster and mourning you’ll see the promise of a plan for good on the other side. If you could rise up on the wings of a soaring eagle to look down upon the path that is called your life, you would not see the weaving twists and turns, the valleys and the mountains, but the most direct route to a glorious end. Rise...

My hidden self is laid bare before You Lord and I cover my eyes in shame. So much selfishness, so much of me, so little of You, so much taking, so little giving, so much pretending, so little honesty, so much guilt… Your hand gently lifts my chin to look into Your eyes full of compassion and I see a deep well of never-ending forgiveness. You accept me? Even my ugly, filthy hidden parts? All of me? My tense body relaxes into the peace of cleansing, the hope of renewal, the beauty of redemption. Fear dissipates and is replaced by unimaginable joy. I am free from sin than entangles my soul with darkness. I am purified by the simple act of faith. Reproval. Renouncing. Repentance. Restoration. Renewal. Rejoicing!

Psalm 46:10 Be still. Be. Be quiet. Be at rest. Stop. Not just slow down, but STOP. Stop moving. Stop thinking so hard about everything. Stop working. Stop trying to control things beyond your control. Stop worrying. Stop whining. Stop carrying that load. Cease striving. Vacate – take a break. Rest….in Me. Trust. Hope. Believe. Be. No more doing, just being. Be a simple child. Be Mine. Be completely, totally, thoroughly Mine. Be still.

Treasure, pearls and jewels (Matthew 13:45-46) In the dirt, something sparkles… He digs deeper, unearthing the treasure. Removing the cloth from His pocket, He begins to restore the jewel’s shine. Shimmering, glowing, beauty bestowing The jewel is YOU The investor sees an unusual treasure… It’s a gamble, but it’s worth it. He puts all of His earnings, all of His investment into one little pearl. Full of hope, full of potential, full of value The pearl is ME A simple stroll through a field ended in a surprise. Something so wonderful you’d give away your life to keep it forever. Something so beautiful nothing compares. Limitless love, marvelous grace, amazing sacrifice The treasure is HIM He gave up everything for you. Will you give up everything for Him?