Daily Prompt: Freaky Friday

The challenge:

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why? If that seems too easy, try this one: who would you like to have spend a day as you and what do you hope they’d learn from the experience?

My response:

Wow, what an opportunity it would be to be able to spend an entire day as someone else.  What to do?  Whom to choose?

• The President?
• A Genie?
• A beautiful actress?
• A best-selling author?

Ah, but alas for me it shall be none of these.  Whom would I choose to be?  Why?  First things first.  I choose Jesus Christ.  No, not on the day of His birth in a smelly stable with animal dung, even if someone did bring me fancy perfume to help cover up the smell.

No, not at age 33 for as it is still the Easter season in the Christian church year, we know what happened then.  I think perhaps at age 32 or so.

Why, you ask? Well, no I do not wish to turn water into wine.  No, I think perhaps training up the 12 (soon to be 11) wouldn’t be my first choice for how to spend my last days . . . oh, that’s right.  It took 3 years.  No, my reason is more simple.  You see, I find it hard sometimes to love as He loves, to forgive as He does, to see as He did and does, and to know our hearts – our real and authentic selves – even when they are wrapped in layers and layers of human weakness and flaws.  If I could be Him for one day, surely it would make it a bit easier to reflect Him on others, even the ones I unfairly judge sometimes . . . yes, them too, if only I could really experience Him that deeply.

If I could be Him for just one day, perhaps it would be easier to walk in fear or even to let go of fear completely?  Perhaps, if I could be Him for just one day, it would become simpler to say “yes, Lord” when He speaks and not hesitate so often?  Perhaps it would be easier, if I could be Him for just one day, to walk where He walks even if I am sure I’m going to get lost . . . or to know, instead, that with Him I can never be lost?

If I could be Jesus for just one day, maybe it would be easier to be the real me that I was truly created to be!  You see, if I could be someone else for just one day, I cannot imagine wanting to be any other than the one I love most, to be one with Him.   Seamless.  United.  Consumed. All Consuming. Never to be apart.   Even for just one day.

Hey, you know?  With Jesus, I can be all that.  I don’t have to pretend.  It’s real.  He’s real.  He lives in me.  I can do this!  Wow!  Join me?  

Among Weeds – A Tanka Poem

Weeds can overwhelm

or so it can often seem.

But, look more closely

and you can surely find hope.

The rose . . . delicate yet strong.

by Martha L Shaw – Words and Images Copyright 4-20-2013

Weekly Photo Challenge: Up

Here are but a few examples depicting “up”

as my heart sees it:

Photography Copyright 4-18-2013 Martha L Shaw

Song of the Angels

Music of the angels,

Sounds resonating

Outside my window.

Peace, joy, praise

Calms my body

And uplifts my soul.

A bark,

A tweet,

A clap of thunder.

Love of God,

Nature . . . nurture  . . .

Comes in all shapes and sizes.

He made and loves them all.

By Martha L Shaw – © 4-18-2013

Personal Prayer Request

Prayers for both of you!

Two Rights Attempting To Make A Left!

I’ve known this possibility exist for some time, but I was busy being positive this wouldn’t happen that it snuck up on me.

I found out I have breast cancer this morning. I can’t decide how I feel at the moment other than a little mad. I haven’t been able to do more than shed a tear or two, but when I feel the crying coming on, I’ll lock myself in my bedroom and let it fly.

The past few years, dealing with Cowden’s Syndrome and all the health issues it entails, I’ve felt like there is no way I can get cancer. Now I have to change my attitude to there is no way this cancer is going to get me! I’m actually angry. I guess that is where my fighting spirit comes from.

I’m worried about Barry and the stress he is putting himself through.This could have waited…

View original post 87 more words

A Thankful Heart

Resting in the parlor with my feet up,

I gaze at the bay window

As the gentle breeze blows

Through palmetto, pine, and more.

The early evening sun begins to set

But not without one last uplifting gift

To the senses.

Countless tiny diamond-like rays

Peek through the leaves and branches

As if to say “adieu, my weary friend”

And I smile knowing all will be well

And the sun will rise again tomorrow

And with it will come a new day,

New miracles,

New opportunities.

I gaze on with a thankful heart.

By Martha L Shaw – © 4-18-2013

Hate – Remembering Boston

As a native of Boston, I write this while an interfaith church service plays in the background on television here in my new residence in SC.  Listening to comments made from those around me in the last few days . . . words unrelated to the tragedy . . . I find my  heart hurts for the hate I see and hear every day.

How can we say we seek to find world peace until we heal the hate in our everyday lives?

Growing Pains – A Tanka

* 

Thank you dear Jesus

For revealing to me that

This pain I’m feeling

Is not the answer to me

But merely a chance to grow.

 *

By Martha L Shaw – © 4-17-2013

Simple . . . Miraculous

Miraculous and simple?  In one thought?  Well, in truth, we focus so on what seems complicated that we miss the blessings and miracles which are poured out in such great abundance every day.   Does our intensity of focus on the “big” things change anything?  I believe not.  When I work at fixing everything that “needs my attention” I get in the way of Him who truly can deal with it all . . . my job?  Praise, trust, love, thanksgiving . . .

Some quotes to ponder:

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

– Nelson Mandela –

What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.

– Mahatma Gandhi –

Because We Draw Breath

Blessed!

Revelations In Writing

Great are the blessings,

granted by the Lord.

Unto the righteous,

He’s shield and our sword.

Because I have breath,

my lips will sing praise.

I shall seek and find

Him all of my days.

May my hope in Him,

grant courage to those,

burdened by trials;

caught up in life’s throes.

Search in the scary.

Come to Him with fears.

Mighty Strong Tower,

the Catcher of tears.

In times of trouble,

no need to look far.

In our very hearts,

is right where You are.

Your angels surround,

protect as we pray;

so taste His goodness,

run to Him today!

(Psalm 34:1-8)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that because we draw breath, we have reason to give You praise.  Thank You that Your blessings of faithfulness are promised to those who actively seek You.  Forgive us for feeling stuck, rather than actively seeking You.  Help us to relentlessly pursue…

View original post 67 more words