SOMETIMES “NOTHING” IS EVERYTHING

I wanted to  give the right gift,

the perfect one.

I had little money

and few skills.

IT NEEDED TO BE PERFECT!

I grew more and more disappointed.

Eventually,

with tears in my eyes

and empty hands,

I threw myself to the ground

and cried out

“I love you!”

He was pleased.

By Martha L Shaw – © 2017

 

Dear Aunt Astrid!

I had an aunt whom I assumed may have been born an old lady. The little niece recalls a wrinkled nose more  than a smile. I recall giggling after a burp and being told “Not prudent for a young lady.”  Wonder how she knew?  Anyway, I did not know what the word meant, but but but . .  I had heard of prudes and one more thing!

Stand in front of a mirror and say PRUDENT and imagine you’re still a 5 year old.  Tell me!  DOESN’T IT MAKE YOUR FACE LOOK FUNNY?

THE REAL PROBLEM!

We fix one symptom, pat ourselves on the back, put our feet up, and nap . . . never facing up to the REAL problem.  Why, then, do we complain that “nothing ever changes” and “nobody cares!”

IT IS A REALLY BIG DEAL!

Acceptance

All too often I find this word to be avoided, to be considered negative, to be considered “here comes trouble!”  My response to this truth was “here comes another positive word gone NEGATIVE, what a pity!”

I looked acceptance up in the dictionary and found that a primary defining word was “favor.”  WOW!

The following blessing has been bestowed upon me many times, and I quote it from the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER:

“The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.

The Lord look upon you with favor

and give you peace. AMEN“

My friends, acceptance is a REALLY BIG DEAL and I am sorry to say we as a culture are not very good at it.  We need to do better!

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARE YOU A CARROT OR A PEA?

Grocery shopping can be vexing.  

In order to obtain what we need, to meet health restructions, etc., we must read every label, hope for full and clear disclosure, yet still discover we have not seen enough to judge.

WHY then, knowing only God can know a human heart, do we persist in placing a label on one another?

 

When You Trust

Even a massive army,

living in darkness,

cannot destroy

those who live

in the Light!

By  Martha L Shaw – © 2017

 

 

INSTINCT

In my heart and thus my life,

love is an instinct.

I was created by Love,

in the image of Love,

in love,

through love,

to love.

Many failures may befall me,

but,

Love never fails!

By  Martha L Shaw – © 2017

New Living Translation
Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!

 

 

Contrary

I am one who does not run from a challenge but . . .

CRITICIZE?

NO!  Dear readers, I intend, or HOPE, instead to encourage and bless!  My sometimes failure to do so reveals the truth that God is not finished with me yet!

 

Which is my Anchor?

Someone says “ride with me!”

With a delighted blend of calm and joy,

I join him and

The coaster rises and drops

Then rises again!

See my excited smile!

Another day

A voice in my soul says

“come” and points to the boat and a fisherman.

My thoughts of “but isn’t that Him?”

Don’t calm my fear

As with shaking legs

I head for the boat and grab a net

And with no joy

I listen for a storm.

By Martha L Shaw – © 2016

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THE VIEW IS BEST FROM THE TOP!

I always thought of vigor as strong arms, strong legs, athletic ability, amazing muscles, physical strength strangers see and gasp and whisper as I pass . . . the dictionary depicts it that way.   It is nothing like that!

I do not have that physical prowess of which I still desire, but . . . this heart of mine, no longer mine, holds all I need.  I gave it over to the lover of my soul and He gave me His.  This weak and broken human needs no strength of her own if she trusts in Him . . . my vigor is His heart and hand in me/mine.

The more I surrender, the more I become in Him.  I know a love beyond defining.  It is His for me and mine for Him.  Through His heart – His eyes – His strength, I can do all things, and the view from there?  Amazing!

 

 

#faith #love #spirituality #God #peace #mountaintop #strength#FAMILYLIFE #GREATGIFT #GREATGIFTS #Advent#baby#Christianity #Christmas #faith #God #GREATGIFT #Jesus#manger#Motherhood #poetry, #Spirituality