J is for Jewel by Lorilee Guenter

 

An eagle soars overhead. A lone pansy blooms among fallen autumn leaves. A sunset paints the sky in hues of orange and red. Tiny snippets found in ordinary days can be treasures, when we pause to acknowledge  them. These are opportunities to express gratitude for the gifts God has given us.

As writers, honing our observational skills allows us to mine gems from the everyday. These pieces of life add layers and description to our writing. Poetry may weave a list of observations into a word painting. Devotionals may pair them with scripture. A characters response to the flower tells us a bit about who they are. The list of ways we use our daily observations is limited only by our imaginations.

I have an unopened geode. It is a rough, nondescript brown. It could be mistaken for a bumpy lump of dried clay. I have not yet opened it to reveal its contents. I do not know the pattern or beauty that resides within. It will remain that way unless I actively work with it. I have seen gems, newly dug, with bits of dirt and rock clinging to them. You know there is something beautiful there. It takes polishing to see the jewels contained within.

Our observations, our words, and our daily activities hold unprocessed gems. As we weave our words together, rearranging, rewriting and revising, the dirt and debris fall away revealing the jewel held inside. Just as a master craftsman knows just where to cut to catch the light so the jewel shines, we strive to find just the right words to bring our writing to life so it shines.

As I work at my craft, I find myself reflecting. I too am an unpolished gem. I have debris from life marring my surface. There are scratches and dents that dim the light. Thankfully I am not left in this state. The Master Craftsman is cutting and polishing. He is restoring and revealing the shine that He sees within, and knows exactly what is necessary to make us sparkle with His light. As He polishes, He teaches. He hones our gift of words He has given us. We have been placed within a community to strengthen us. Together we shine brighter because we reflect more of Him.

It is my hope and prayer that not only do I continue to learn to polish my words but also that I continue to let God polish my life. May our lives and our writing be jewels offered to God and to others.

Stories from the Front - Marnie Pohlmann

Even though the sun will soon rise above the horizon, the blackness deepens in preparation for a last battle. It is always darkest before the dawn. The last moments of night fight to keep control, to allow sinister events that can only happen in the darkness more time to destroy those who cannot sleep.

I just need to hold on, to not give in or give up, until the light wins the battle and brings a new day. My battle will continue then but in a different way. The night brings shadows from every direction that whisper pain and lies. In the day, I will be able to see the enemy more clearly, allowing me to know where to run for safety and where to stand and fight.

When I was first sent to the front lines I didn’t know how to fight. Scars testify to how death tried to claim me.  Just in time, God-given instinct provided me the ability to parry and thrust to protect myself enough to survive that initial battle. I then learned, sought answers, studied, and practiced with the Commander to recognize the attacks and how best to counter them. It took years, but little by little I made progress. With every small victory, my skin thickened and my muscles grew stronger.

Sometimes new weapons are forged and surprise me with the unknown. In those times I may lose my footing and must retreat to tend to fresh wounds. I have learned that retreat is not the same as defeat. When the enemy seems unbeatable and I go into the battle anyway because it is what I am asked to do, it is not without fear and could be described as either foolhardy or brave. But knowing when to rest and recover is sometimes even more difficult than sacrificing myself. Being still in the darkness is not for the faint of heart. However, in time I also learned that darkness can also provide comfort with the promise of light.

Like tonight, I am worn out and wounded. I lay in the shadows, on alert to every sound and brush of the wind that finds my hiding place. My instincts say to sleep, or to run, or to surrender. I am learning to consider, instead, what the Commander has taught me. How to wait, to heal, to allow the night to pass and the light of day to come. The light will show the truth despite and beyond the shadowy whispers of the past.

Perhaps in the morning I will discover I am hunkered down behind enemy lines rather than near the safety of the fortress. But when the light once again shines, I will also see my options. I will see the steps I must take to follow my orders.

So I wait. Even as the darkness deepens and time stretches toward certain death, I am not idle in my waiting. I stay still, but I put pressure on the bleeding. My breathing calms and my heart quiets.  I watch. I know from experience that if I can hold on a little while longer daylight will come.

This battle is not about my own survival. It could be, but there is no point in saving only myself. It often feels like I am the only one fighting, but this war is much bigger than me.

I carry scars from struggling to claim this land for the Lord, so others may live in peace with Him. I am often wounded and hurt but never defeated. The wounds show scarred paths leading toward victory. They are maps to share with others who also feel trapped and afraid in the darkness. This is a war worth waging.

I close my eyes for a moment and when I open them, I can see it. A slight difference between the varied shadows, a graying of the deepest dark. The light is coming. While I wait, I repeat to myself the wisdom these battles have taught me, that I may live today to share with others once again tomorrow.

“It is possible to overcome darkness because the Light is present, no matter how dark life seems. I can keep going because Light gives hope. No matter how tired, afraid, hurt, or alone I feel I will fight, because I am never alone, and I will be given the time needed to rest and heal. So I will sharpen my weapons and polish my armour to reflect the Light so others can know the way to victory. This battle, and my life, belongs to the Lord.”

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.                                  Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

Marnie Pohlmann writes about learning to be Phosphorescent, absorbing and reflecting the light of God no matter what darkness surrounds life. She believes that life's struggles can be overcome and redeemed because God is present.

*photos courtesy of Pixabay.com with CCO license.

Living Lampstands by Linda Aleta Tame

Living Lampstand
14 x 18 Acrylic on Canvas

We 

want 

to see light precious light

We want to be light

precious light

Living

lampstands

growing

glowing

He fills 

the earth

with glory light

Arise

Shine

 He is

In you

And you are

the glory

of God