‘Neath All The Layers

August 23, 2005 on 6:55 pm | In Poetry, Random Thoughts | No Comments
More is there, beneath the obvious,
Beneath the outside sheen of smooth sailing.
‘Neath all the layers of protection
Lies a real, yes-I-have-feelings human being.
It’s just a matter of getting past
All the bluff, all the pomp and circumstance.
Sometimes, if you’re careful and quiet,
You might actually see
The barricades come down voluntarily.
In that moment of vulnerability,
Speak softly, speak slowly, speak soothingly
To the soul exposed. It is the only way…
Otherwise the walls will slam into place
Faster than you can blink.

Everyone has armor—some more, some less.
Few walk this world without wearing some.
But be aware, be open, be sensitive
Because ‘neath all the layers of protection
Lies a real, yes-I-have-feelings human being.
Gentle communication heart to heart
Is the way friendships are founded.
Families are strengthened.
Donne said it best, “No man is an island.”
Under the appearance that all is always well,
We cannot stand alone and live with gusto.

Let down your defenses sometimes.
Maybe someone else will let down theirs and
The two of you can be real for a little while.
You may even find you like realness
Better than these perpetual, tiresome masks…

hurtful things

August 19, 2005 on 10:32 pm | In Random Thoughts, Writings | No Comments

Somehow, I still haven’t learned that the people I love are simply humans. It always surprises me when they do something I don’t expect and it hurts. I guess it’s a matter of expectation. Like it or not, I have my loved ones on pedestals of various height—depending on how close I am, how long I’ve known them, my past experiences with them, etc. With some my expectations are more realistic. With others, I have them up way too high. The higher they are, the harder I get hit when they tumble off.

In theory, at least, I fully recognize their humanity and weaknesses. But somehow the heart doesn’t always listen to the brain. I WANT the fairy tale to be true. The princess is always good and kind and perfect. So is the charming prince or the knight in shining armor on the white horse. The human beings in the real world may be princesses and princes and knights in my eyes, but they aren’t ALWAYS good and kind and definitely not perfect.

They fall off my unrealistic pedestals, totally unaware of the expectations that I have. They are simply being themselves and trust that I know their imperfections. I, on the other hand, have to learn all over again that my trust in anyone I love has to be based, not on that person, but on the rulership of Christ over our relationship.

Today I have agonized over another fallen friend. Someone fell. I got hurt. But somehow I love my friend still and I definitely trust that Jesus is Lord over the both of us. I know without a shadow of doubt that forgiveness is far better than resentment and bitterness. My tendency is to extend mercy and expect that mercy will be the instrument for both our healings, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I have wept my tears, vented my anger, dried my eyes, and reestablished those oh-so-important lines of communication. Somehow I survive. I grieve. I let go. I seek healing from the Only One who can give it… Most importantly, I face again my own human weakness and imperfection. And I remember the advice of the Master. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

LESSON 8,637… OR SO

August 19, 2005 on 10:11 pm | In Poetry | No Comments
It is true. With all the hurry
I allow myself to worry
When I really should just leave it in God’s hands.
But I am so used to fretting
Even though I am not letting
God take care of things the way I know He can.

He’s still faithful in my weakness
As He teaches me more meekness.
Painful as the lessons are, they’re worth the price.
For each time that I go through them
I learn how to trust anew, then
Strive again to let His promises suffice.

DETERMINATION

August 11, 2005 on 3:36 pm | In Poetry | No Comments
My creative side’s been squelched again
Soooo frustrating
Seems like every time I turn around,
Something’s come up,
Something’s happened,
Feels like a conspiracy sometimes…
My head keeps spinning with the pace of life:
No time to be still,
No time to play my flute,
No time to write,
No time to “be”,
Always something to do!
The struggle feels monumental.
Still, if there is one thing I am,
It’s persevering… persistent…
Downright stubborn about not giving up
My creative needs
Wedge in a moment here,
A moment there,
A word edgewise every now and then
Until satisfaction tells me I’m finished.
Like I said, squelched or not,
I refuse to give up, dang it!

(Zechariah) Have you ever seen such a huge grin?

August 7, 2005 on 11:33 pm | In Pictures! | No Comments

Some picture from a call phone camera

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