intimacy

tentative                                       

hesitant

reaching

pulling back

reaching

risking

TOUCHING

tentative

maybe

TOUCHING

NO

YES

Fingers touching

YES

Hearts entwine

Trusting                                                           

July 4, 2011

You know… freedom is a very precious thing and coveted by so many around the world.  We are so blessed (in the USA) to be able to celebrate our country’s birthday of freedom this weekend.  Many sacrificed their lives to ensure our freedom.

But there is an even greater, more precious freedom available to everyone, regardless if they live in a “free” country or not- that freedom is found at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ.  That freedom too cost a life and if embraced frees us of the emotional baggage in our life.

So celebrate with me this weekend, not only our country’s freedom but also our personal freedom.

Scripture affirms this-

Ps. 116:6b    …You have freed me from my chains

Gal. 5:1(Phillips)   Plant your feet firmly therefore within the freedom that Christ has won for us, and do not let yourselves be caught again in the shackles of slavery.

Luke 4:18  Jesus says that He was sent to proclaim that captives will be released,  that the blind will see,  that the oppressed will be set free,

The following haiku are similar but they express the celebration of my freedom.  Will you join me?

Dancing with broken

chains, limbs no longer hobbled

liberated life

Heavy-hearted feet

released by a Redeemer

freed to dance again

Here are just a few things I have written in the last year:

Storm unexpected

lashing, tearing at my soul

God IS my shelter

MY way of thinking

clinging to it like an old toy

tug-of-war ensues.

Rut

Comfortable     familiar

clinging     clutching     fearing

Not wanting to break free

stagnation

Trusting enough to

lift my eyes to Yours

exposing my soul.

I lift up my eyes to You, to You whose throne is in heaven.  Ps. 123:1

My Father God is inviting me to lift my eyes and look into His.  Will I accept the invitation?  Accepting requires something from me.  When I look into someone’s eyes, it requires a degree of trust; I need to feel secure.  If eyes are the "gateway to the soul”, then whoever I allow to look into my eyes will see ME- into the depth of my soul- who I am.  Do I really want to allow that deep a look?  If I keep my eyes averted, I am denying Him access to me but I also do not see His tender look of love for me, His precious daughter.  Will I accept His invitation?  Will I believe His word that promises no condemnation?  It is my choice!  But I sense His waiting, his longing, for me to accept.

A Journey Begins

Around the bend an

uncharted journey beckons

my exploration

(written 5.1.2011)

Here I stand on the brink of a mysterious journey, with a small cheering section behind me.  This journey is unexpected and I hesitate as I take the first step.  But my foot is now firmly planted in that step and I await to see where I will go and what I will see.

About a year ago, I went to a half day retreat.  Part of the retreat involved creativity- the clay went ok but having to write poetry- give me a break- haven’t done that since high school English class a LONG time ago.  I sat there petrified for a few moments, then gritting my teeth, I decided I’d give it a try; what did I have to lose.  Half the battle was won when I made the decision to go from “I cannot do this” to “I will try this”.  The results weren’t too bad.  Ok -I did that; end of day.

I really didn’t give poetry anymore thought after that.  Within a few days, haiku (a Japanese-style poetry consisting of 17 syllables-5-7-5) started surfacing at the oddest moments.  I’d go around counting on my fingers and composing emotions and thoughts.  Then came the day when I had a moment of bravery and shared some with two close friends.  That set something in motion that hasn’t stopped since.

After taking a writing course with WPPI University, (http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/?af=1334404), I was encouraged to try blogging my haiku…me blog??… now that is a strange thought!!  However, as the days passed, I started thinking, why not try and see what happens.

So here is the first step of my venture.  I will simply share the haiku that God has given me; and maybe at times thoughts to go along with them.

My haiku come mostly out of my life experiences and how I’ve felt in them.  Some of them are in response to other’s pain.  Of course there are those just for fun.

I pray that in some small way the simple 17 syllables will enrich, encourage or even bring a measure of healing to your life.

Your friend for the journey.

Margaret

PS:  in case you wonder about the word “burble”- it means to bubble or a bubbling or gentle flow.