Hope Lives

A swirling cascade of vibrant color
Fell to the ground
Leaving a thick, yellow, autumn blanket
across the yard



The garden,
once lush with green foliage
And blooms of every color
Looked tired and aged

But suddenly a surprise
...there amidst the dried up leaves
And barren branches

One vibrant bloom



And the promise of another



...a lesson in hope and perseverance.

Life is yours to live...
...make the most of every day
...reach a little further
...try a little harder

Bloom against all odds.

Today I Pray...

...with gratitude
for the quiet ways
You speak to me

...and teach me to live

Standing in my own way...

"Don't ask for God to guide your Footstep
...if you are not willing to move your feet."

These were the words that concluded my post the other day. A post I didn't write myself, but an email I received that just resonated with me. Though the whole post had meaning, these words have been ringing through my mind over and over again since I read them.

These words halted the flowery poetry, and caused me to realize that for some time now, I've been doing just that -- asking for guidance, but standing dead in my tracks -- afraid or unwilling to take a step.

I look in the mirror and can see, that physically I need to get moving -- yet quite literally I am idle.

I look around my home and see the work that needs to be done -- but take no interest in doing it.

I pray every day for things to be different for me professionally -- but take no steps to change them.

I am, like this morning, overcast and cold. Filled with self-doubt. Afraid of failing. Asking God to guide my footsteps, but then refusing to move my feet.

If you are reading this and thinking I am being too hard on myself -- I'm not. I'm being honest. I blame no one, but myself, for this feeling I have. I've been talking the talk of joy and optimism -- but I haven't been walking the walk.

So God in Heaven....

Today I Pray...

...free me from the excuses
...enlighten me
...help me to lift this self-imposed burden of sadness and self-pity

Help me to pick myself up
Dust myself off
And give me the courage
To move
...in the direction of my dreams

I know there is a sun
that is peaking through the clouds
Help me to see that light.


"In danger I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is with me; I am not afraid;
what can mortals do against me?"
Psalms 118:5-6

Between Here and There

In the space between
here and there

You'll find
Countless words
that tell the story
of my dreams

Things I only imagine
because the space
seems so vast and
I don't know how to cross
the great divide

You'll find
Fears so real they
could swallow you whole

Fear of ridicule,
or failure,
Fear of the unknown

Like a river
That separate distant shores

Though I can swim
There's no way way to know
if I am strong enough
to make it across
Or if the undercurrent
will sweep me away

So close
Yet so far
...the space between
here and there

One thing is sure
I'll never
know my strength
or ability

...Until I dive in

Image from www.wisconsinrivers.org

Today I Pray...

...for your continued guidance as I move from here to there

...help me to stay focused

...help me to shake off the negativity

...and tune in to the encouraging voices

...help me to know when I've reached the best point to dive in

...and give me strength to swim


"A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name. Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage." Psalm 23:1-4


A note to my readers: I just had to share this with you because it truly is amazing. Normally when I include a Bible verse, I take some time researching to find a verse that "fits" my theme or resonates with me on that day. Today though, after writing my poem and prayer, I literally opened the Bible at random. This was the very first passage I read. As you can imagine, I wept upon reading it.