A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

poetry

Can I really Stretch So Much?

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Well it’s been a hard couple of days, a challenging week to be precise.  I lost my temper with a bunny person and cancelled an exchange. I was tired at work and constantly felt behind even though one day I was making work to do. My arm has been sore since I’ve needed to push it as I had rabbit cages to spot clean in the cold before the next snow storm hit.  And then I saw the word prompt and thought, I don’t think I can.  Can I write on this word stretch?   But by early evening Friday I had this poem Can I really stretch so much?

This after a conversation with my lad about we all have our weaknesses, and family can help us work with them.  His weaknesses aren’t anything new to the world, and perhaps, if he were more clear with mom and dad we’d be able to help him better.  Anyways, I’ll let you go read, and I’ve got chores to do. 

can i stretch so much text with image baby rabbit

Can I really Stretch So Much?

There are times I wonder
do I have what it takes
to stretch and grow
to become something more?

I see it in my lad,
the changes he makes,
a job shaping him,
schooling, education and friends
influencing his life.
Creating change.

I occasionally see it
in my bunnies.
Especially with the littles
I have a bold one in the box
Curiously getting into everything,
but one cage change had him
huddling in the nestbox,
uncertain of his footing.

God calls us to be
be holy as he is holy
to be pure as he is pure.
To be MORE than what we are
and that requires stretching.
A becoming, so to speak.

This week I learned
of friends
a horrible collision.
To be as the lady was
full of grace and charm
so quick to pray
and offer a voice of wisdom.

This, this to me is God
showing himself.
This pushing for perfection
a pushing to be
all that God called her to be.
and now,
now she is no longer
an example to see.
Just one to be remembered.

and I don’t think, 
well that is I often don’t think
I have it in me to stretch so much.

I do offer grace freely
but some people rile my boat
and it’s hard then
to offer grace.

I doubt anyone would call
me charming
but someone with a ready smile
and a willingness to sacrifice
so that others might smile.

But holy? Pure?
Wow… that requires
so much more than I am right now.
I know that God sees
me through the life of Christ.
But still.. some effort is
required on my part.

Can I really stretch so much?
Will spiritual muscles show
in the physical so that others
can see God through me
Like I saw God through my friend?

This today,
this is my struggle.
And right now, I’m
really not so sure.

can i really stretch so much, white rabbit stretching

God’s response

1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Leviticus 19:2
 
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
 
Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

It Shows My Commitment

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So tonight I made myself up some trail mix and said “YES! I will stay alert and write my five-minute-Friday post” on Thursday night.  You know, food always manages to perk me up. Maybe it does the same to you.  But it did help me to get It Shows My Commitment all written!   Now if only I can stay awake to get my images done!  🙂   So just how commited can I be?  

It Shows My Commitment

Commit
the word before
me sits.

What can I write
in five minutes flat
with such a word as this?

Shall I waffle on what to
write, there isn’t time
for that!

Consider well
what words to use
think of where you’re at!

So I commit to saying
I don’t listen as well
as I should.

Luke tells us
“Therefore take care how you listen.”
You consequences there are.

“For whoever has, more will be given to him;
and whoever does not have,
even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

I need to listen better,
to be an active hearer,
letting not distractions flood my brain.

It shows my commitment
to the Lord when I actively
want to hear what he has to say.

When I have a chance
listen well to preacher
follow along with overheads.

Ponder the scripture,
see what is says, but
more LISTEN to the impact.

Be willing to show the change,
the heart prompt that shows
active hearing at play.

it shows my commitment, text over image of lit church

God talking to us

Be doers of the word, not hearers only.  James 1:22

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Matt 6:33

Therefore brothers and sisters, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.   Heb 5:1

 

OH!   Want to see what others wrote?  Visit Miss Kate! 

Stopping by woods on a snowy evening

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Stopping by woods on a snowy evening) through Raincoast Books.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so.

 

Stopping by woods on a snowy evening

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Robert Frost, a classic poet, wrote many poems over his lifetime.   In Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening we find lovely illustrations by Vivian Mineker to help children meet good poetry.  Wintery scenes cover each of the 32 pages of this hardcover poem that I am reviewing for Raincoast Books. 

Winter scenes grace the pages of this illustrated poem, finding horses in brown, bunnies in white, and people in winter garb. 

You’ll read words of love, loss and memories.  Words of connection, of family and friends, of love for a horse and watching it’s reactions.  These words are a nice sized font, but sized for sitting together on a couch or bed. 

Some of the pages of this illustrated poem have no words. This is such a nice surprise.  Wordless pages give time for thought and reflection don’t you find?  

The brightness of the clothes against a wintery background suited the words full well. Highlighting the relationships and memories between people meeting. 

Should this be on your shelves?

Vivian Mineker illustrations bring to life the poetry of Robert Frost with Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening to a whole new generation.  I had not read this poem before now, and her illustrations fit the words.  This book would be a nice way to add poetry into the lives of anyone who reads it.  I love that some of the pages have no words so you can just look, talk, and/or think.  

in my hour of trial

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I saw the word trial as the word prompt this week and immediately in my hour of trial popped into mind.  If you don’t know the song, I’ve embedded a youtube video for you.  Isn’t it a nice hymn to listen to?   Does it make you think of how Jesus constantly minds us through our whole life?  How he helps us remember his action on our behalf? And the workings of the Holy Spirit within us to call to mind his providence in providing all that happens in our lives?  

in my hour of trial

in my hour of trial
Christ reminded me
of all that he had suffered
at gethsemane

my trials might
not seem much
but they were real
to me

lost in my mind
working a job
frustrating
just wanting a way out

loss of a pup
a dear loved companion
so much a part of
who i was

miscarriage,
not one but two
fired from a job
that annoyed deeply

watching a man
working hard
fighting a battle
that time would end

seeing determination
and then overwhelming pain
as that same man
works a job ill-suited for

watching a boy
determined that
he can make it all
on his own

no need for
spiritual aid
a mockery it seems
of things taught

yet through it all
a thread constantly
appears, a thread
speaking hope

none of this is a surprise
through it all
lessons will be learned
hope renewed

because after the day
the night of rest
after the rest
a new dawn

just around the corner
where i can’t quite see
is a new dawn
with hope, glory, eternity

an end to trials
along with an end to pain
an end to suffering
and no more reminders needed

because in that eternity
a forever God-glory
will shine with rivers,
jewels, and gold

all around
10,000 upon 10,000
will be praising
the one who sustains all.

so in my hour of trial
jesus pray for me
remind me constantly
of hope not quite yet seen

in my hour of trial

God’s Word Speaks

Psalm 119:114
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.”

Psalm 130:7
“O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.”

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Romans 5:3–5
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.”

The Necessity of Possibilities

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It’s funny, I saw Miss Kate’s word prompt just before I went to bed last night.  I was tempted to stay up and see if I could write a post but I was falling asleep so it seemed a bit pointless.  ANYWAYS, as soon as I saw the word, this song for the Jungle Book movie came to mind.

It was still in my mind when I awoke this morning, and all through morning chores, so I wonder if I can find a way to make the two fit together?   

The Necessity of Possibilities

Jungle Bear tells us these words
yes it’s true,
These are from him,
not me to you.

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That’s why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life.

Brother Bear would also
say not to go around
looking for more than
you should.

And I’m not sure I agree
with him on that.
It’s our hopes and
dreams and the wonder.

Of possiblities that
add fuel to our life
and journey, whether
a beliver or no.

These possibilities
make us stretch and look
for something more.
As believers we find

that moreness in God
and he stretches our
possibilities to see
his glory in all things.

This week I read
these words in Mark 15
“Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last. Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!“

And as odd it is sounds
it showed me possibilities
even in death.
Jesus Died. A man saw truth.

It makes me wonder
What possibilities,
what necessities in life
am I overlooking?

What action can I take?
Are there events I am
not seeing
that might bring change?

Is there something
that can bring
the moreness of God
into the life of another?

The Necessity of Possibilities

The Moreness of God

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 17:20

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Genesis 22:24

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Determination is found

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So I wasn’t happy with how this was going so I let it sit…YES… I didn’t post on Thursday, Friday OR Saturday.  Thinking about determination didn’t go the way I had it planned in my head while feeding the bunnies!  Go figure!  Anyways, as I wrote this poem is was more about how Determination is found, rather than how it is sometimes shown. Determination comes in many forms don’t you think?  

I can’t say I’m completely delighted in how the lines seemed to come. But it says what it will, and trust that God has placed what he wills on this page.  🙂 

Determination is found

Determination is Found

Determination
how can I see?
Is it the way the
wind bends the tree?

I see it so clearly
in 16 year old son
the way every night
he goes out for a run.

The way that a man
determine to provide
Continues to work
a job wounding pride.

The way of a frown
as concentration deepens
The world of math
The effort won’t cheapen.

The lunge of a bunny
“Feed me first” she demands
Outdoing the cries
from all other lands.

Determination is found
in laundry and lunch
When things have been busy
and there’s nothing to munch.

Determination is found
in not backing down
When serving the Lord
is where confidence is found.

The awkward greeting,
“You new here I think?”
When introvert would
rather go home for a drink.

Extending oneself
at work and at home
One never really knows
how determination roams.

Can a child become
just what he dreams?
With enough determination
Success often gleams!

There’s always a way
if enough will is gathered.
No negative talk,
just willingness lathered.

God works sometimes
in mysterious ways
Do what he wills,
Trust him always.

There determination is found
in many small things
What will you make
of what this New Year brings?

Determination is found

What does the Lord say?

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  2 Timothy 4:7

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.  Ruth 1:16-18

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

 

Important things of life

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The Five Minute Friday word prompt this week is important. As I sit here with my fellows gathered round, the lad doing his schooling, hubsters working on something, the house is quiet.  Well I guess I shouldn’t say quiet… we hear the pigeon in the background cooing, and the budgie is quietly chirping.  I notice my lad still hasn’t give the budgie it’s Christmas present (a seed bell).   The odd comment pops up as we discover things to chat about.  It gives me time to consider the important things of life.

The important things of life

The Important Things of Life

The Important things of life
come to mind
this beginning of the year.

Faith, and it’s
interconnectedness
to all of life
and all I hold dear.

Through faith a child
was born, a trusting God to give.
A fear surrounding momma,
could be more like daddy please?

My son, so handsome is.
Without his momma’s foibles,
a steady, kind lad.
Faith, still a work to be.

Through faith I hold a job.
Hard, tiring though it be.
Brings community connection,
a surprise to me.

Tell the hours, the
foodbank please, tell me also
what does it need?
How can we help?

I didn’t expect,
my commitment to be
Respected to this
community need & place.

I see God at work
in bunnies (still won’t breed),
in people coming for help,
gives time and space you see.

Figuring out the
balance between work and home.
Teaching new skills,
Quests from the heart.

Having a routine
allows others as well.
A time to sit and reflect
to read God’s word.

Also to develop a
better prayer routine
surprisingly touching
more areas of life.

I find myself
fascinated, and
frustrated, and finally
understanding the families routines.

Understanding better
how the routines of work
and school shape the
figurings of one’s life.

So through faith
a grow and become
and understand better
the important things of life.

Faith.
Family.
Community.
Work.

The important things of life

God’s word?

To be honest, I’m not really drawing any scripture to mind as I ponder the words God had me write this morning.   I just know that faith has been foundational throughout my married life.  It’s been frustrating to not have my bunnies breed. It occured to me this morning that as I’ve been sorting out the balance between work and home, that not having a bunch of little bunnies to care for has been a blessing.  Time has been granted to me to figure out a workable schedule  (which is bound to change once spring hits). 

Understanding the fixedness of routine that my hubby and son have developed for their work and school makes me sense to me (even though that fixedness sometimes annoys me).  🙂 But they are guys and they think differently than I do.  🙂 I, more or less, understand it though as I’ve developed a routine before I go to work or my volunteer job.   I do tend to add small things into my mornings at times though as it makes life easier later in the day.