Sweet Memories

                         Night came

        pajamas

                     brush teeth

                               jump in bed

       snuggle in

               then you came

  pulled the covers up

                 spoke a prayer over me

       for my dreams

                             for my future

               a soft and prickly kiss on my lips

                       (or forehead as I got older)

      then lights out

                         eyes close

             dreams began

       until the next night came

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is approaching quickly, and so I feel it is only right to post a list of the many things for which I am thankful.

-God, who often surprises me in the little things He does
-My friends who continue to love me an pray for me even though physical distance is far, they remind me that I am still important to them.
-New friends who bless me and remind me that I do have a purpose for being here in Texas at such a time as this
-My small group which gives me the opportunity to connect with other believers and exercise my voice
-My family who love me enough to support me in this new adventure
-Surprise packages
-Leaves that crunch under my feet (even if I don't get to see brightly colored autumn leaves of Ohio)
-That I am never to old to learn something new
-That God is not done with me yet
-Being able to provide GED tutoring in math
-Cooler weather (it is in the 70's finally and I am hoping it stays there or goes lower) :-)
-Good books to read
-Paint
-Continuing to discover new things about myself
-Great co-workers
-Meeting neighbors
-Granny Short
-My Guitar
-New music to listen to
-Letters in the mail
-Hot tea
-Fuzzy blankets to snuggle with
-Popcorn
-Transportation
-My morning bus driver (who is always smiling)
-The view of the city on the way to work
-Quiet mornings
-Gourds
-Pumpkin painting
-Fall crafts
-Hoodies
-Being challenged to grow

I am grateful for these and so much more. I am looking forward to what the future brings and more reasons to be thankful as the year comes to a close and a new one begins.

Two Questions

These two questions keep echoing in my soul

                       Who has power forgotten?

       Who is religion oppressing?

                  The answer:

                                             The convict

                                                      Minorities

                                    The poor

                                             The LGBTQ community

       So often I search for the easy answer

                  The neat package

                                    The ‘safest’ route

    But this is not what Jesus taught

                               Rather than easy, Jesus chose difficulty

                    Rather than neat, Jesus chose

the lepers, prostitutes, and tax collectors

                         Rather than safety, Jesus chose the cross

Why should I think that my path would be any different?

                                    Jesus

                                    The ultimate example

              ‘Let the one without sin cast the first stone’

Judgment is not mine to bestow

                                                I am called to love

                                                      The convict

                           The minorities

                                             The poor

                                                       The LGBT community

                        And more

                                       Who has power forgotten?

                  Who is religion oppressing?

                         It is anyone who is not being shown love

         Love is patient and kind

                                It does not boast and is not proud

   Love is not rude and keeps no record of wrongs

                  It always protects, always trusts,

always hopes and always perseveres

Healing Begins

                               The newness of everything

    reveals the hidden parts of me

             insecurities

                        buried emotions
   
      past memories

                                                       they push forward

                        threatening to be seen

tears form

                                      They must be stopped!

                  NOW IS NOT THE TIME!

                                   ...

       But when is the time?

                                      these emotions

                                           these feelings must be heard!

                      Stillness

                                 A quiet embrace

                                                   A sweet melody in my ear

             The damn breaks

                                         Water rushes

                                                           Healing wounds

                                     Refreshing the weary

                and comforting the broken

Speak

                Speak to be heard

                                       call out

              give voice to

                        break the silence

                                            declare

            assert

                    vocalize

                            articulate sound with an ordinary voice

        An ordinary voice?

                    Could it be that this is all that is needed?

                                My voice seems ordinary

 Should I not strive for extraordinary?

                                           But God called me in my weakness

                            before wisdom

                                      before gaining influence

            Therefore, speak out!

                                     Raise your voice!

                                                           Speak forth God's wisdom

                     Ordinary speech can

         be powerful,

                     bring renewed hope,

                                       Call forth new life

                           Speak to be heard

                           Speak to be known