Poem and Prayer for a Friend

I am thinking about a friend this morning who is an incredible example of strength and resilience. Her positive outlook is inspiring, infectious. I am praying for her today and in the days to come.

A poem for her: Li-Young Lee's "Persimmons" for "Some things never leave a person..." like light in a jar or a bird, small signs of hope if you notice them...

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; the shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

Appreciate life and all the people in it.

Is it Half Full or Half Empty?

Lunch observations for today:

1.  Chicken noodle soup is normally consumed when your stomach needs soothing or your cold needs tending to.  Today, I've found it is just good for the soul, kind of like a big bowl of ice cream at the end of a bad day.

2.  It is during times of adversity that your friends will really shine through.  Take note of them.  Appreciate them.  Be there with a bowl of chicken noodle soup the next time they need it.  And you.  The world has a funny way of putting things into perspective when we need it most.

3.  There are those who dwell too much on whether their glass is half full or half empty.  We should be grateful even if there is one tiny little drop in it.  At least I am. :)

Smile and take time to appreciate life, Andrea

P.S.  I've found a new poem to share with you:  "The Word that is a Prayer" by Ellery Akers.  A friend shared this with me today, and I couldn't say enough about the timing.  I hope you enjoy it.

Villanelle for Today...

I am now following @onestoppoetry on Twitter and they help poets to learn about and explore different poetic forms each week.  Today's form of choice is the villanelle, that pesky little form that likes to turn me in knots.

I had a few lines in my head that of course came to me while I was in the shower.  Then, I came upon their exercise for today and thought I might try to put it into villanelle form. (And I don't hope I don't seem didactic.  It was just me thinking outloud about everything happening in the world.) Here's my attempt:

Feeding Time

We pray to Him only when in need;
We don't talk to Him anymore.
We open mouths and wait to feed.

We call it faith but live in greed;
We don't know what we're praying for.
We pray to Him only when in need.

We forget just how to believe;
Wealth is now the favored Savior.
We open mouths and wait to feed.

Seeing life, we forget the seed;
We must turn the knob at His door.
We pray to Him only when in need.

Don't leave the talk for when you grieve,
Talk to Him like you did before.
We pray to Him only when in need.
We open mouths and wait to feed.


(Now the revision on this should be fun!) ;)