2 Poems

"Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?" Psalm 56:8

2 Poems:

Starting with graduating from high school and then into my young adult years, I wrote some poems. Okay, so I am more of a book reader and blogger, not really a poem writer, but the funny thing is, these poems still have good truths that I can reflect on today. Poems are unique. A story can be long... and yet you only remember the main storyline and the main characters... but poems most of the time don't have characters... or even a plot. Sometimes it is the emotion or a deep thought that you remember most. So after rereading my poems, I am sharing them with you.

#1 "Broken Heart"

By Yuliya P.

Feelings within my heart,

Heartache, hatred, hurt.

Beautiful sister, sweet brother,

Longing, sadness, jealousy.

"I'm alone. There's no one,

No one here beside me."

Alone.

Leaving childhood, starting life.

Scared, frightened, depressed.

Moving elsewhere? Ending life here.

Unhappy, fear, ill.

Who am I?

Sad, selfish, stubborn,

Depressed, pathetic, ugly.

I'm broken.

Broken.

Broken.

#2 "Tears"

By Yuliya P.

My friend, my Jesus, my Lord,

I come to you with tears,

Because of hopes, dreams, and fears,

Yet, Your Words, I have stored.

Guide me, I pray,

And through the trouble I face,

Remind me of your loving grace;

So that I may smile each day.

Yet, darkened is my heart with sin,

The pain I feel is great;

As pouring rain, tears do flow.

Yet, Jesus, each tear helps me grow,

Cleanses my darkened slate,

And brightens my heart within.

Young Adult Years:

During those young adult years, I struggled alot. I went through many things. I made quite a few mistakes, too, then had to confess and apologize. It was a very emotional time in my life. I struggled with self-identity most. I didn't know the way. I felt like I was lost in the woods. I think writing these poems helped me understand what I was going though. Yes, I got through it. I am no longer stuck in these emotions. BUT....They still do come up ever now and then. (I'm human.) That's okay.

Maturing Adult:

Even then, I wrote... about Jesus and His love for me. Even when I ran away, He still waited for me and accepted me when I came back. He says "I will never leave thee nor forsake me." (Heb. 13:5) He is my way and now I follow Him. He gives me light. I have become a bright light because of what Jesus has done for me, especially through those darkest moments of my life. Jesus says "I am the way, the truth, and the light." (John 14:6)

Having these emotions of sadness or anxiety is a part of life, but it's in those times that we look for the answers IN HIM! God's plan was never for us to endure our lives, but to enjoy! Times of confusion, yes. Times of sorrow, yes. Those may come...

But the answer is always the same. Psalm 56:3 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."

Busy Summer

"He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." Proverbs 10:5

Busy Busy Summer:

So the last time I posted.... was over a month ago! I am beginning to understand why school is September through May. Haha! This summer, as you may recall from my previous post, I started to do lots of gardening. I absolutely love it! We have been enjoying all that God has given us, but it has also kept me quite busy. I've had to spend time watering it, digging up the weeds, then harvesting and preserving the bounty! :)

Gardening isn't the only thing that has taken up my time from blogging, I have also been very busy with family activities/outings and enjoying the summer sun/holidays! :) Lastly, I have decided to try and read 5 books for my local library reading program. I have learned many things about gardening, being a locavore, and building a creative home. :)

Bindweed (aka Wild Morning Glory):

Last year, when we moved in to this duplex, my neighbor suggested to me that I get rid of the Bindweed. She told me that it would overtake my backyard. At the time, I didn't do what she suggested (plus I thought it was a pretty plant)....... and it took over the whole hill that goes across my backyard and COMPLETELY covered every plant down there! At the beginning of this summer, I began to destroy that monster of a plant. UGH! It's hard work to get rid of it!

Well, I made an awful mistake. We didn't have the yard waste disposal yet, and I allowed this thing to sit in a waste bin and even laid some on the ground on my lawn....... BIG mistake. My husband, this past week, mowed our lawn.... guess what I discovered? In those few weeks, it had covered a good portion of the lawn as well!

Bindweed doesn't just cover the surface, it grows underneath up to 30 feet in length! Now, daily I am pulling up vines of this stuff.... Daily, I am trying to keep it from growing more and invading more of my lawn!! FRUSTRATING!

A Need for a Pastor/Godly Wise Counsel:

I wish I would have listened to my neighbor's counsel. I wish I would have sought advice from someone who knew gardening and had knowledge of Northwest plants! I wish I would have been taught in gardening/weeds so I could have avoided this costly mistake!

"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." Proverbs 9:9

Now, I know, that a pastor does many things, including fulfilling the great commission, but he is also there to give wise spiritual counsel. A pastor has dedicated his life to the ministry of obeying God, loving/serving others, and leading people to Christ. When he preaches, it's not just to lead others to Christ... He also is showing us what to do with the "Awful Bindweed in Your Garden". God gave us pastors to protect us from things that can harm the good in our lives and destroy everything of beauty! He can tell you: "Watch out! This will cost you a headache, frustration, and loads of problems!" Pastors can help give us instructions on how to better use our talents for the Lord; similarly, a good knowledgeable gardener can show me how to grow healthy and fruitful herbs and veggies. 

Last thought: remember, I didn't listen..... and it cost me. Not listening or taking the advice of our spiritual leaders can lead us into some problems. Let's listen to our parents and pastor. Heed the counsel and warnings of our God-given authority and we will reap the benefits/avoid those pesky "bindweeds"!

"The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall." Proverbs 10:8

Remember:

A experienced and seasoned gardener can teach me how to have a successful and sustaining gardening; in the same way, Pastors, godly leaders, and godly wise women (maybe a pastor's wife or an elderly lady in the church) can help us to make the right decisions and reap an abundant Christian life. :)

Weak

"Let the weak say, I am strong." Joel 3:10b

Weak means "not strong; liable to yield, break, or collapse under pressure or strain; fragile; 
frail."

Heading into a Storm:

We have all been in "storms". We are been tried and tested. We have faced trials and frustrations, both from the outside and inside. When it is others who are in the trials, it's heartbreaking to see them go through it. It's hard to be supportive and to know what to do. When it is ourselves, it is hard to smile and stay strong.

HA! When it is both, it's hard not to see the irony and want to cry at the same time.

What to Do during Storms:

*Cling to CHRIST:
We need to hold on to our Saviour. Holding on tightly to the strong tower of our Rock! (Deut. 32:4) He is our Solid Rock. He is our strength. He will be there and never leave us or forsake us. The Holy Spirit will guide and instruct us. (Psalm 18:1-3, 6)

*Cling to HIS WORD:
Read Psalms and the gospels. Claim promises from His Word and repeat them over and over again to yourself through the day! Hearing His promises comforts the mind and eases the stress and frustration of little things. Sing hymns and spiritual songs of encouragement. (Ephesians 5:19)

*Cling to PRAYER:
Don't ever stop praying. Continue to pray and seek God while in storms. (Psalm 86:3) Continue to connect with Christ through daily conversation. Tell him about your frustrations, fears, and annoyances. Don't stop talking to God. Draw nigh to God... and he will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8, Job 16:21)

Reminders:

Be patient. We tend to rush and want things to be solved immediately, yet
the Bible is filled with verses about waiting on the Lord. Wait. Stop looking for solutions and just wait. Storms do not last forever. Wait. (Psalm 130)

Do what's right. While you wait, do what God is telling you to do. Obey the commands He has given you in the Bible. (Deut. 11:27)

Yes, we are weak, but God is ever strong. Yes, we are weak, but God is able to carry us through each storm. Yes, we are weak, but storms strengthen us.

~ Don't forget the classic children's song. It's encouraging to sing. ~

"Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me."