Today and Again

Do you ever have to slow down and find your center? It can take time to remember who you are and for what you are meant. We so easily get lost in chasing the things we need and want and plowing our souls under the toil. Stillness helps us see our persons; music can raise us; reading can picture us; art can show us reason; writing can free us.

We deserve to live creatively and with such love that we feel we can accomplish our hopes and dreams. Some find inspiration in a relationship with Christ Jesus; some follow other paths. As we meet in lives so often hectic, we need to share love and kindness no matter the circumstances in which we exist. Our differences make the world fascinating and rich. We learn much when we open ourselves to one another.

Stepping out of space and time to give ourselves peace to clarify our goals is worthwhile. Sometimes this is done in silence, some creation, some before the eyes of the world. Whatever our method, we must never give up. We are the outworking of the prayers of generations; our promise and purpose must continue.

Today is the moment we grasp; it is our time to build within. Letting it slip through our fingers is not an option—love, love, love. We should be a blessing in whatever places life carries us. Time and again, we can begin a better beginning, for we are living gifts.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan.

Signed

I hid a dream
High upon a shelf
Behind all the things
I thought you wanted.

Now, I am alone,
The things I tried
Turned out wrong,
You are forever gone.

Reaching up, I retrieve
My long forsaken dream,
Rising hope revives
So I may yet become,

As I meant to be –
I, myself, me
Successfully –
A signature victory.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Essential Pieces Missing

Days exist
Waking comes
All too early
For who I am
Yet too late
For others gone;
Those who
Different lives
Lived than mine.
Each liked/loved
Me best they could
Until finding themselves
Leaving my neighborhood
For either ill or good;
Playing roles next to me
I understand never
Easy nor predictable.

Deserted, I try
To release, find freedom
From the desire to
Recall them, keep
Forgiveness always
Part of heartfelt gratitude
For sharing with me
Whatever they were able,
Still at moments
I feel like a puzzle,
Pieces missing
Never finding
Requirements
To finish, or becoming
Finally whole.

Life, too precious
To forfeit myself,
Giving up potential;
Christ owns me
Heart and soul
Even with essential
Missing pieces,
I remember the world
Needs love –
My capacity to give
Only grows unconstrained
By pieces and parts past
Relinquished to allow
Embrace of such present,
Consigning me to
Creativity’s beauties
In outstanding days
Filled with greater love
Through God’s grace.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan