Panegyric

Some rave everything
Is broken, nothing works right,
Labor is in vain,
Everyone is misinformed,
The future holds no promise.

But –

When I look around
I see the restoration
Of communities,
People who lost their way find
Others willing to lend a hand.

Hearts –

Engaged in building
Better tomorrows for all,
Reaching out to help
Encourage more faith, hope, love
Which are foundations of growth.

Many –

Are creating lives
Which they dreamed into being,
Becoming more who
Inspiration taught they were,
Conquering criticism, doubt, fear.

Doom/Gloom –

Are over-rated
If we open our eyes to
See, the world has much
To recommend itself and us;
Life is beautiful and blessed.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Metamorphosis

We hunger deeply
Like the caterpillars do,
Gorging on sweet leaves
Fills voracious appetite
With what will nourish, transform.

Each moment, nectar,
Gentleness, kindness, loving
Required to convert
From our fearful brokeness –
Emotional fulfillment.

A brightness lingers
Before the silken cacoon
Is spun to contain,
God’s blessed transmutation,
Beauty aburst, butterfly.

Some years, emptiness;
Laid aside as lives become
Select new chapters,
We dare to trust us enough,
Believing love can arrive.

Regarding future
Days as if timeless journeys
When we are treasured
Cherished as unique persons
Wholly believed, complete, loved.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Prompt: Create something in first person, then turn it plural.

Gratitude:
I spent a few hours with Richard.
I have read three books already this month.
I caught a little extra sleep.
The dog did not destroy a lot, just my long-handled duster.
It was quiet today.

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. Three ways to follow the site are available in the sidebar. Any interaction and feedback are appreciated. May your days be punctuated with happiness.

Material on Chronicles and Haphazard Creative are © Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Plight

A hug, we share, sweet
But it has been many weeks
And alone can be
Often insecure with doubt –
Returned feelings hold much clout.

Many things in common,
But time steals away being
Filled with days’ duty
Robbing us of our moments,
Hours together sincere joys.

Gifts of comfort, care,
Found in companionship here,
But time hurries past –
What we own a beautiful
Interlude – hearts, minds to soothe.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

It Is Better…

I will put a little different spin on this, but the quote is: “It is better to burn out than to fade away.”

My thoughts run like this, if we belong to Jesus, we are candles burning that point toward the Savior. Often we suffer depression, grief, mental anguish, physical pain, existential loss, all the things that occur when living in the world.

Even though we are God’s children, we live here like everyone. Christ in His wisdom put us here to exemplify the depths of His love. He has not abandoned us. Within us burns God’s love; the Holy Spirit lives in us.

We may come to places too terrible to bear, pain that overwhelms us, desertion by those we love. Even so, we can abide in the hope given in Christ Jesus that we have an eternity that will outshine any difficult circumstance we encounter here. Life on Earth is only a beginning, and the promise of Heaven will exceed all our hopes and dreams.

Those who do not have the hope of eternity with Jesus will fade away. As with all that death touches, these will turn to dust.

But, the living, hope, there is an opportunity to assure eternal destinations. It is not God’s desire that any should perish. Jesus came that all might have life and it more abundantly. He took our sins to the cross and died in our stead. Jesus arose in victory. If we believe in Christ and ask Him to take charge of us, He will, and we will not see the second death but will spend forever with the Lord and His saints.

It is only a small thing that we endure, for we often receive miracles. Oh, what wonder to know Jesus. Burn bright, be a light.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Reading Happened

I am attempting a goal of at least sixty books this year. So far, I am meeting the requirements. I believe this year will be one where I read Kindle and my books instead of visiting the library.

The following are the books I have read thus far; all of them earned my five-star rating:

  1. The Age of Witches by Louisa Morgan
  2. Harry Potter – Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
  3. Harry Potter – Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
  4. The History of Living Forever by Jake Wolff
  5. The Silence by Don DeLillo
  6. Possession by A.S. Byatt
  7. The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolano (in translation)
  8. The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
  9. Resilient by Rick & Forrest Hanson
  10. The Island of the Day Before by Umberto Eco (in translation)

Many of these books are quite long. I will not write reviews of them all since you can get the information you need on Amazon. I will say my favorites are: The Age of Witches, The History of Living Forever, Possession, The Hunting Party, and Resilient.

Enjoy what reading you can. It feeds creativity and is an active entertainment.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan