poetry

What I want to write is a whiney post!  I do.  I want my post to be one of complaint because today I’ve had one too many person say “BUT I thought you lived _____” when I state in my ad, as clearly as I know how, that I live _________. And somehow, people seem to miss that, or think that if they drive out to me that they deserve some outrageous discount.   But as I was writing, it was like God was sitting on my shoulder saying “whining again are you?”.  And I just couldn’t leave you there!  Stuck in my whining, so allow me to clarify my position.  Not one of complaint but… one of seeing the better. 

To Clarify my Position

Allow me to clarify my position, 

starting with my availability.
Can’t you understand that
if I am in this place,
it means I’m not somewhere else?

I’ve clearly stated in my ad
that I don’t live here, but
rather I live over there.
It’s a distance to drive, hence
my willingness to drive to you
at my convenience of course.

So I fail to understand
why I repeatedly need to clarify
that I don’t live where you think
I do, and that no, I’m not available
at some inconvenient time because I need
to eat, sleep, work, and relax.

But as much as I want to whine and complain
about how people can’t read ads….
Let me consider this.

First it means that someone is interested
in one of my lovely mice or bunnies
and wants them to serve a purpose in their lives.

Second, it allows me to show grace to folks.
God has shown me grace upon grace, so
how can I not forward that along?

Third, did you know that some people are more
directionally challenged in the world
than I AM??? It’s a shocker sometimes! 🙂

Fourth, for those who complain about distance
and pricing, it allows me to engage in the
fine fun art of bartering! And perhaps to do some
educating on the choice of driving a distance…
and how they wouldn’t expect IKEA to cut them a break on
pricing, so why would they expect me to do so?
It’s good to make people think.

And today, I was graced by the presence
of a young man who wanted two of my bunnies,
and came over so he could work off their purchase price.
I am much further ahead in my garden clean up as a result
of his efforts. AND WHOA>>> he’s a strong fellow!
I’ll need to have him back to help again!
And an added bonus, he’s a good friend to my lad,
and we had a lovely conversation as we worked.

God speaks

Psalm 27:13

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living!

1 Thess 5:16-19

 ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. 

What may I anticipate ended up going in a completely different direction that I thought it would.  I’m kinda left thinking?  WHAT?  This is NOT what I intended to write.  I intended to write about everyday life things. Things such as picking up the kitten from the vet after her spay and how much we’ll have to mind her behaviour.  Replanting my perennials in their bed again.  Painting my bedroom.  You know, things that need happening.   NOT something philosophical!   But I guess God had something else in mind for me.  🙂 (and well you my reader).  Perhaps it might stir some thoughts needing to be stirred. 

What May I Anticipate?

Oh what I may anticipate
as I walk through this world,
a life of joy and bliss
or one with troubles galore?

To be honest, as much as a life
of joy and bliss appeals
I’d rather think it might be a
bit boring and not one that
encourages me to become something more.

You see we’re told in James
that trials of faith produce
perseverance…. and we know that
stick-to-itiveness has results too.
Things like character, hope, and so
much more.

And as much as I don’t like being
tried and tested, and do
tend to like the outcome of such
things… to be able to see God
more clearly, and to show him to others
just a bit more dearly.

I wrote a paper in school once about the
benefits of persecution and he responded
with the question
Should we then pray for persecution?

It’s a tough one to answer right?
I don’t want anyone hurt because of
their faith in God, and yet, sometimes
I wonder if a bit of persecution (the type
that doesn’t kill folk) wouldn’t be a bad
thing for the church.

It would force people to show how they
are, and create situations for people to say
“HEY, I serve
the Lord and him alone!”

This is still something I ponder
as the years have passed.
Wondering what it will take to
make the church wake up.

What do YOU think it will take?

Every once in a while the strong desire to escape takes hold.  I was pondering this today at work about the causes of that almost irrepressible urge to just flee.   What causes the urge to run, to escape the daily trials of life?  It’s an idea worth pondering on a day when Miss Kate provides a word prompt for us.  🙂 

Escape the daily trials

The pressure builds
within, slowly it seems
until, out of nowhere,
temper flares and
tears come in the hidden places
of one’s home.

Why can’t the other
bodies that share this living space
help without having to be
blooming well asked first?
Can’t they simply open
their eyes and see?

Planning out the days
knowing that there is much
to be done in a limited
amount of time and just
so tired of having to
direct and ask for help from
others is exhausting.

Working outside the home
plays a role, as
it causes even more
time pressure since the same
amount of work needs to be
accomplished with less
available time to accomplish it.

A visit to a parent, and
a migraine hits. A sign of stress?
Or was the stress just a prelude
to the migraine?

Lack of sleep and
intense periods of “I must get this done”
often prelude a migraine, but
the lack of ability to get
things done does
nothing to ease the desire
to bolt for the hills.

But then, a growing desire fills
one’s soul. The need to dive
into God’s word a pressing need.
And so, a study in Acts begins.
As God’s word seeps slowly into
my heart, the urge to
escape the daily trials eases.
Reminded continually of the surety
of God’s grace to those he
calls his own.

God’s encouragement

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Ezekiel 34:12-16

¹² As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. ¹³ And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 

¹⁴ I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. ¹⁵ I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. ¹⁶ I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.