Encouragement 4 The Day: "You will love again..."

I came across a posting “Cancer kiss-off: Getting dumped after diagnosis” an article which primarily discussed women who were deserted after being diagnosed with cancer.   One participant to the article mentioned coming home after her first radiation treatment only to discover an empty house-her husband had just UP and LEFT her! (I know of no better way to convey my sentiments)

I could only imagine the immeasurable pain and disappointment now coupled with the fear of a compounded unknown. Modern day Jobs…that’s what came to mind. This poem was written after a friend informed me of her divorce and I think/hope that it’s appropriate in this case also.

I used to think that the phrase “Time does heal” was so cliché but indeed it is true. Time may not cure but it does foster healing.

You Will Love Again

You promised forever and today

Your ‘forever’ is gone.

Allow your heart to heal from its pain.

And it will heal.

It’s larger and stronger than you believe.

Leave it open.

Employ love,

Not pain to speak your story.

You have loved before…

In time,

You will love,

And be loved again.

Encouragement 4 The Day: "Silent Scream"

When someone understands us, when they truly get US and they want to stick around anyway-what a precious gift of friendship that is. Do you have someone like that in your life? I’m not talking about family (they’re supposed to love your craziness… HA!). No, I’m talking about a total stranger, who one day walked into your life and decided that you were OK. If you are one of the lucky ones, please let them know how grateful you are that your paths have crossed.

I love to 'people watch'. I can sit for hours in a mall and just watch people walk by. Some of them smile at me but it doesn’t reach their eyes. It’s as if I can see all the loneliness, worry and stress mirrored in their gaze and what’s touching is that still; they make an effort to smile. This poem is for them…

Silent Scream

I heard you scream.

Didn’t think I heard you

Did you?

You were walking by and

Turned to me and smiled.

And although your lips were shut

I felt your pain.

It was in your eyes,

The scream was in your eyes.

I pray for you.

I prayed for you then.

Encouragement 4 The Day: "Still Standing"

Abandoned buildings remind me of us and of life. As this world wages its war…a crack develops, stones create broken windows and we show the scars. Yet, from the trials, pain and sorrows of life a deeper beauty emerges…“Weathered Beauty.” 

The lines etched into our faces, the graying hairs, the wounds in our flesh and hearts tell the story. The bodies ravaged by disease, the hearts crushed by pain, the calloused hands and missing limbs are the scribes. They tell the world …we’ve been beaten and torn by life but like these abandoned buildings... “WE ARE STILL STANDING!”

As you read the poem “Still Standing” and view pictures of these beautiful old farmhouses, I dare you to look past the cracks, the holes, the sagging walls and the broken windows. I challenge you to acknowledge the weathered beauty in you designed by life.

"Still Standing"

Callous observers stare in disdain.

Looking through their eyes…

 I am a “once was”

And what remains seems;

Pitiful,

Broken.

I’ve weathered storms, I’ve braced against stones.

My creaks and groans,

Are often heard in the wind.

Bruised and battered

Yet somehow,

Defiant.

Proud.

To one side I may lean,

Fragile, Torn, Strained even Broken

But…

“Still Standing”.

Poem by Claudia Minden Weisz-"And God Said No"

And God Said No

I asked God to take away my pride. And God said "No".
He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. And God said "No".
He said her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. And God said "No".
He said patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness. And God said "No".
He said He gives me blessings, happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain. And God said "No".
He said suffering draws me apart from worldly cares and brings me closer to Him.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. And God said "No".
He said I must grow on my own. But He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. And God said "No".
He said He will give me life, that I may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
And God said "Ah, finally you have the idea!"

Copyright © Claudia Minden Weisz (the mother of a Rett Syndrome child)

Encouragement 4 The Day: "Reconciliation"

Reconciliation

Something. Is. Not. Right.

I am trying to wrap my brain around

You.

Omnipotent. Omnipresent.

They say that’s not WHAT You are, but WHO You Are.

Bellies distended.

Babies too hungry, too weak to cry.

Frail bodies raped and torn

Discarded as trash.

Alpha and Omega

The beginning and the end- You Are.

Is this suffering that you see

Worth breathing your Spirit into mortal clay?

Is it?

Still…

In the pain I see Your brilliance

Reflected within the human spirit’s will to

Not only survive, but to overcome.

And so even though I don’t get You,

And some days I struggle to love You,

I acquiesce that indeed…

You are God.

                                                                                                                      J.Y.M

We may not always understand why God allows certain things to happen but if we search deep enough (and sometimes we don't have to go far), in the midst of the problems we will recognize His brilliance. At that point we can rest in the knowledge that in the end- it ALL works out for good.

Encouragement 4 The Day-"Accountability"

Accountability

I was born with a will,

A mind to think~

I OWN it.

I dare to speak the truth,

And whatever the cost~

I OWN it.

I march to the beat of my own drums,

And should the path I choose lead to joy or pain~

I OWN it.

I accept that being ME has its consequences,

I make no apologies, I have no regrets~

I OWN it.

I’ll embrace each moment & strive to make it count,

This is my life, my time, this is my now~

I OWN it.

                         J.Y.M.

Encouragement 4 The Day-"Metamorphosis"

Metamorphosis

Like a caterpillar

Barely escaping the crush

Of someone’s heel,

You’ve created your cocoon~

A place to run and hide.

Pain,

Like a carpet’s threads

Weaves its way throughout your soul.

It’s time to emerge.

Don’t rush … take your time.

The struggles that you face

Will give strength to your wings

A soon one day

You will fly.

                                                          J.Y.M

Encouragement 4 The Day-"Singularity"

Singularity


You are different.

Unique.

Sometimes it seems as if you don’t belong.

Never change who you are

For in this world,

There is a place reserved just for you.

It’s not easy being different,

But nothing worth having ever is.

And should you change,

You just might miss out on what was destined to be yours.

Embrace the courage to be yourself.

Embrace all that’s uniquely you.

You are perfect just the way you are

Now go,

Find your place in this world.

                                                     J.Y.M

Encouragement 4 The Day-"Breathe!"

Breathe

Doubled over

Hard to breathe

Struggling to survive.

With one deep breath~

You just might make it.

But life strikes you again,

and again, and again.

You’re down,

The count is on

Your head is covered.

The pain …so intense.

You’re no longer fighting.

Not much fight left.

Then suddenly the beating stops.

You can’t say when …

But the pain subsides.

Your chest expands and

You Breathe.

Hang on.

                                                  J.Y.M

Encouragement 4 The Day-"Tenacity"

Tenacity


You’ve suffered loss,

You’ve endured pain,

Failure has knocked on your door,

You’ve felt the shame.

“Don’t Quit”

Just let it go they’ve said,

Others will succeed,

Your eyes are bigger than your head,

Your wants more than your needs.

“Don’t Quit.”

Life has slapped you down,

Sometimes it’s been your fault too,

Hard to keep your feet on the ground,

Not knowing if you’d pull through.

“Don’t Quit”

Endure until the end,

If you cannot stand then sit,

You may be your only friend,

Whatever the cost, so be it.

“Don’t You Quit”

             

                                           J.Y.M

Encouragement 4 The Day-"Light Chasing Darkness"

Light Chasing Darkness

Do you see where the sun goes when it sets?

And as darkness chases it beneath the horizon

Do you question its return?

Life is like that…

Darkness chasing light, light chasing darkness

Each one never final.

Though you cannot see the sun

Still you trust that it is there.

And if you can do that…

Believe.

That even through this darkness in your life,

Your sun waits

Just below the horizon.

                         
                                                           J.Y.M