One joyful Sunday,

At fourteen,

I gave my heart to God.

I perished,

But sadly,

I failed to die

To the wretched

Ways of the world

Completely.

In reality

Nobody is perfect

Though we strive to be

More like Jesus

Daily.

All our lives

God keeps pruning

Molding and shaping

His kingdom

To be used for

His glory.

Keep marching

Forward

Good and faithful one

Pointing

the world’s eyes

His way.

Live your ...

In a world full of roses,

be a weathered watering can.

Scars from trials

Like rust peeking through

Reminding us of

Wisdom gained

Through perilous times.

Filled with life

Like the water that sustains

Sprinkling the Truth

Of God’s promises

For all to hear.

Held securely

By the grip of our Creator.

Replenished

By the love of our Father....

My thoughts are a river

Winding through a meadow,

Racing over boulders,

Flowing smoothly across

A flat bed of pebbles.

It’s a beautiful scene

Filled with purpose,

Tackling adventure,

Finding joy

In a life well lived.

Criticism halts the flow

Like a fallen tree

Damming the stream.

A mistep changes the direction

Like an avulsion

Altering the rivers’ course.

Constant obstacles create chaos

Like t...

A cut so deep

I beg him to keep

This marriage alive

So I can heal.

I’m bleeding out

As he saves his clout.

His image can’t die

As it kills me.

Popularity.

I sigh desperately.

I apply cold salve

To my open wounds.

A balm so smoothe

I feel my heart move

To give grace

He doesn’t deserve.

He takes it for granted

My love firmly planted

Roots grown

Through all times.

To his image he still tends

As ...

Her. She wears her hair short and wavy. Brunette with a tint of blonde like a silty river bed. Eyes like slits barely able to look at me. A forced smile on her rubber band lips. Dressed in her business best. A little cleavage from her even breasts peaking through. She has everyone fooled. Except me.

Him. Dark brown wavy hair in need of a haircut, but somehow it still suits him. Wide eyes that smi...

Nestled in the safety of a hollowed out red oak lived a colony of bees that thrived. Resources were plentiful. The workers danced about and zipped around with joy. They were happy and the queen was secure. However, it wouldn’t always be that way.

Workers play many different roles such as raising the brood, performing housekeeping duties, protecting the hive. The particular worker that we will fol...

Your singularity

Is an attractive quality.

Individuality

Among a sea

Of perfectionism.

Please, tend to think less

Of others’ opinions.

I must confess

They should not press

On your unique soul.

Confidence.

Reassurance.

Your presence

Is encouraging.

Shattered stigma.

New euphoria.

We all need

What you have to give....

Quiet. Slow. Anxious. Three words that others use to define me. Definitions that have trailed me the majority of my life. For so long I felt ashamed of these qualities. Different. Less than. Jealous. If only I could be outgoing as this person or quick to speak as that person. If I could be playful, spunky, spry. If others could simply see the value in my God given approach to the world.

Kindergar...

Mother can masquerade

And behave

Like she’s ok

Most days.

Father can hide

Behind his pride

And masculine drive

To try

Not to fall behind

In life.

They give a smile and kiss

While falling amiss

Into a deep abyss

Of misery.

Neither want to call it quits.

Neither want to admit defeat.

They seemed so perfect, but

Rotting flowers can still smell sweet....

He had been so charming at first, sweeping her off her feet and enveloping her in love. But now, he was no charming gentleman. He was The Hunter. And she was his prey. Not in a physical sense, but she frequently felt torn to pieces and her mind consumed by his sharp tongue and torturous pride.

The Hunter was a signal phrase to her empathetic friend when he was leaning heavy into the narcissim. He...