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| Image by CongerDesign@Pixabay |
REDUCTION
In this season of caregiving
I am being reduced
Cooked, simmered, evaporated
A concentrated version of myself
Who am I now?
I am daughter
I am mother
I am wife
Who am I?
What is this new flavour?
This new texture?
This new consistency?
I seek more of Him and less of me
Holy Spirit, come
I am jellied and trembling
When I am weak, I am strong
Give me this day love, joy, peace
Patience, kindness, goodness
Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
Teach me Your ways
Make me lie down in green pastures
Lead me beside quiet waters
Restore my soul
Fill me with Your sacred rest
In this pressure cooker, sautéed
I become saltier for Christ
Taste and see that the Lord is good
His mercies are new every morning
This is my desire
To spend time in God’s stock pot
Take up less volume in the world
And enhance its flavour
Father, You are the Master Chef
The 3-star Michelin
Make of me what You will
I am Your creation
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c. Susan Barclay, 2025. For more about Susan and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com
Love your poem, Susan! I love these lines: “ I am being reduced
ReplyDeleteCooked, simmered, evaporated
A concentrated version of myself” and “In this pressure cooker, sautéed I become saltier for Christ”.Wow! Love this!
Thank you so much, Pam!!
DeleteGreat poem, Susan! A hard season to be in the pressure cookier, but what a great attitude you have. May you have grace for each moment.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Lorrie! Some days are harder than others, that's for sure, but God is good. His Spirit most often wins out over my flesh. Thank you for your prayer for grace. It's His grace that sustains me.
DeleteA wonderful poem, Susan! Yes, may God provide everything you need in this season. (And seasoning, to carry your metaphor further. ;) Carol Thornton
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol!
DeleteI love your poem, Susan. How vivid and descriptive of this hard season you are in at present. Wishing you His great grace along with generous 'seasonings' of joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blessing, Brenda!
DeleteAmazing poem! It is a very creative description of the refining process. Truly, to have the fullness of joy in Him, He must increase and we must decrease.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and amen, Cathy. A BIG amen!
DeleteI love this poem, Susan, and your prayer to be more like our Lord, even when we're in a "pressure cooker".
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandi. The pressure cooker is/can be a tough place to be, but it's where we He tests and refines us, making something new.
DeleteLove the line, "In this pressure cooker, sautéed, I become saltier for Christ." You've found a path forward to be saltier for Christ.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bob. As He leads me, may I follow. That's where the joy is!
DeleteLovely, Susan, and so true to the season of caregiving. Love the lines “I am jellied and trembling. When I am weak, I am strong.” Thanks for this moving poem that brings a person to seek courage and strength in Him.
ReplyDelete