Thankful - Glynis Belec

  

A+ Nice poem, Susan!

An acrostic poem is always the one my students pick if given a choice. An acrostic is easy to write because it doesn't need to rhyme. Often a name is the focus. "Easy-peasy," Susan utters as she scratches out a few words on the paper. No need to worry about the rhythm of the lines either. Each line can be as long or as short as Susan, the creator, wants it to be.

As I was contemplating my post and how thankful I am for each waking moment, I wondered if I might dare present my thoughts today, in a form I will brazenly dub - an extended-acrostic! Here we go:

On Being Thankful...

Time after time I mess up. I really did mean to send that card, make that call, send that donation, God. I know I sometimes must seem all talk and no action. I don't know why that is. I murmur about not having enough hours, enough money, enough strength. Then I feel shame-faced as I see those who have less than me doing what I should be doing. Forgive me, Lord. I will try harder. I truly am appreciative of Divine Grace.

Harmony in a home is what you desire. I know that. Sometimes I instigate and toss my patience out the back door. I forget the world doesn't revolve around me and I want my own voice to resonate. Thank you for reminding me to stop and think before I speak and for letting me know that sometimes I can say it best by saying nothing at all.

Abba, Father. I surely am grateful that you know my heart. I play the game, don't I? I pretend to have it all together on the outside. Especially on Sunday where I gather with others to worship. Someone says, "How are you?" I lie and say, "Fine." I really am dying on the inside but I don't want to reveal my heart and seem weak. So I smile and move on. Why do I see the church as a haven for saints instead of an emergency room for sinners?

Normal. Whatever is that? I keep waiting. Maybe when I make it to that magic five year number being cancer free. But my happy hubby - recently diagnosed with leukaemia - does that mean I need to wait another five years for normal? "Be still, my child," You say. "I have it all under control." Thank you, Jesus. I needed to hear that.

Michael Bull Roberts speaks in Drayton. What a message! 

Kindness, "...is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Mark Twain once wrote. Teach me not to attach strings to those times when I can offer a hand to someone. Let me never feel obliged because of religion but, rather, let the blessings pour out of me because of the blessings that you have poured into my life. I learned that from Michael Bull Roberts last week. He spoke about horror and the consequences of poor choices but he didn't stop there. He shared how You, Lord, showed the greatest kindness of all and extended your Grace to him. Thanks for teaching me, through that big, tattooed, former drug lord, turned crusader for Christ, how a heart can be changed because of kindness.

Forgiveness is that final form of love. For God so loved me and everybody else, that He gave Jesus to die on the cross for sin. That is pretty sickening when I really stop and think about it. Not the part that I am forgiven. (That's the truly amazing part) but I mean the part where it was because of my selfishness and because I was so wrapped up in myself that I didn't even think. And I still do things that I shouldn't - that are sinful. Yet the blood of Christ covers it all. Precious Lord, how I am beholden to you.

Unconditional love? Do I exhibit that in my day to day? I like to think so, but what is that rumbling? I want to strike out; point out error; announce that I was right. Then if someone won't listen to me or criticizes my judgement, then I want to retaliate; react; even the score. Then I remember how you forgive and love me anyway. I need that example. I need to daily consume Your Word. It's funny...when I do read your precious words, I feel somehow rejuvenated and more able to love. Thank you for teaching me and loving me consistently and without condition [just like you do.]

Love - and the greatest of these [Fruits of the Spirit] is love. If it wasn't for the love of God, I may as well believe that this world was created in a big bang or something crazy like that? But how can that be? God loves His creation. He perfectly made everything and everyone for a purpose. I want to keep trying my best to please God as I journey on. It saddens me to think I break God's heart. I think that is because I love Him so. If I didn't, would I care? As I gather with my family for a Thanksgiving meal, I will look into the faces of each one of my relatives - young and old, and I will say 'Thank you." Love brings us together. Love brought us into being. God is love. and for that, I am truly thankful...

T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L!