Poem and Tanka

Empty Spaces

When a life departs
A body, only remains,
An assortment of
Discarded things, relationships,
Without breath or animation.
Memory struggles, fades,
As ensuing days
Go on with whoever
Contains the treasure, hard
To guard, uneasily measured.
A longing persists
To catch a glimpse, hear a phrase,
Sweet visage, clear voice
Held dear, but lost from here.
Never, never, until some
Future, Divine Presence gives
Overdue reconciliation
Uniting those who, wander,
Later in, with kith and kin.
No need can find all,
Disembarking space and time,
Leaves suddenly adrift, behind;
What had meaning, without beholder
Begins to decay and molder.
Oh Death, how unjust your taking
Leaving Life to spoils shoulder.

Tanka Explore

1.
Heroes are only
These dreams we greatly esteem,
But may never meet,
No love we share between, yet,
We hope their joy is replete.
2.
Blowing up his phone –
A need I cannot postpone,
But no rainbows come;
Talking to me is a chore
He rather not, anymore.
3.
I love you more now
Than when first I invited
You to share my heart
Knowing over time how grace
Has greatly forgiven me.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, June 25, 2022

Early Sunday Thoughts

Allowing ourselves to trust the future is secure is sometimes hard. Knowing we are Beloved of God helps us go forward.

Small steps make progress toward better days. We are meant to grow, not fade. Life is not always what we plan, but the stops along the pathway are often where Jesus finds us open to suggestion.

Why we are here can be unclear, but our destiny is no secret to the One who made us. Take time to reflect on where you are coming from and what opportunities your experience may bring you. Hold your dreams dear, and share them with God. He is on your side.

Remember, a detour may lead to a better possibility than we imagine. Love is the guide and is always with us.

Blessings to each of you, be kind and love.

2022 Creativity Project – Day 101

Use for Stones

Sometimes
They are
Thrown
To tear
Apart,
BreaK a
Life, a heart.

Sometimes
They are
Gathered
To build,
A home
For blessing.

Sometimes
Stones are
Used to
Build walls
Between
The in, the out.

Anger is
Cast like
Stone,
No love
Within
Belongs.

The Rock
On which
Love builds,
Broken
Stone rolled
Away.
Risen
Jesus
With Love
To share,
He is
To Save.

2022 Creativity Project – Day 99

Why Jesus?

In the shadow days
When the risk of flight becomes
A constant companion
It could be said He is why
The choice to stay is doable.
There are times prayers
Get more than ample answers,
When money stretches
Or unexpected changes
Fix problems beyond measure.
When loneliness calls
Without invitation, Love
Reaches out to soothe
The breaking of heart, mind,
Tears, He wipes them with melodies.
Food to eat, beverages to drink,
Clothes to wear, home to live,
The life He gives abundantly,
The blessing of friends, family,
The beautiful people, beings,
Surroundings fragile; unique things,
Jesus Christ, Creator, is everything
Without Him, there would be
Nothing but emptiness.
Faith, hope, life, Love, gifts
He creates generously to bestow.
Friend to everyone who calls
The Lord who knows each one
Throughout and forever, all.

This poem was inspired by the book, Inspired by Rachel Held-Evans.

2022 Creativity Project – March 22

Goodness, and Greater Things

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance. – 2 Peter 1:5-6

Every day we have choices, and when we are faithful and follow the advice above, we are likely to have a good experience in life, with blessings of success.

Last Friday I got a letter, which I should have received at the beginning of the month. It was a critical matter, so Monday, I made calls, but by this evening, I had gotten no callback, and I was apprehensive.

I wrote a respectful email, praying that I could straighten the problem out. I wrote carefully, clearly, hoping I would find compassion. I used all the knowledge of grammar and style possible in my lexicon.

I very quickly got a response that put me at ease.

I did not give up but kept beseeching a solution.

We do well to do our best and apply every knowledge and ability to those things we attempt.

Being kind, tender, caring with the people we encounter and those who inhabit our lives fosters love and teaches us self-control. We choose how our life comes to us. If we desire goodness, we must be busy with it in our days.

God is good, and Jesus is always willing to help us if we are hard-working at well-doing.

Remember, small things add up to more joyful days and eventually may lead to greater happiness. Joy is a foundation under a life; happiness is a pinnacle less often obtained.

Bless you in all you do.