Friday, December 30, 2016

Grateful

How do we start thanking God for all his blessings? I'll admit I am rather insecure, but do you ever feel your prayers aren't long enough or good enough? Will it ever be enough?

I imagine the tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa began because children wanted to show appreciation for the forthcoming gifts. Since ancient times, farmers planted bulbs in autumn so the beauty of God's spring would manifest itself in gardens with bold colored tulips and daffodils. Symphonies by famous composers give homage to God and His wonderful works. Every grandma baking a cake for others is serving slices of love and parents who spend time teaching children how to ride a bike or swing a bat are naturally sharing gratitude with their family.

Here in California, we have just suffered through a giant drought and right now, we're thankfully up to the fourth inch of rain this month. Speaking of suffering, this has been quite a year, hasn't it? But it's almost over and many of us, just like an overgrown and gnarly rosebush, survived in spite of all the year’s difficulties.Besides praying of course, I choose to write poems of thankfulness. How about you? 
  

Mercy Rain
Eve Gaal
(Previously published at Christian Poets and Writers on Facebook)



To the prayer caught in my throat.
The Heimlich maneuvered gasps of spiritual praise.
Me, the spec of dust imbued with His touch,
part of His plan.
Me, drooling
on bended knees,
head down
pathetically waiting and shaking.
Typical textbook.
He won’t yawn,
He is the Master of My fate.
The spring,
the summer
even winter and orange leaves in fall.
He is the thrill of the beginning and the best ending.
The excitement
both outside and within my soul.
Who am I that He brings me doves and flowers?
Who am I that He soothes my tired nerves
placing roses and endless beauty along my path?
I inhale,
gurgling—embarrassed by spittle as I try to get my words out.
What can my lowly heart do to show my love?
Breathe, I tell myself.
Do not fear.
Grateful tears run down my cheeks
I bow,
feeling His hand pulling me up
moving me towards the window

where the ashen sky  looms with a chance of showers. 



Here's wishing all of you a Happy and Healthy 2017!!

7 comments:

  1. Lovely poetry, Eve. Of course, given the dry conditions you've had, one hopes the rain is orderly- too much all at once can lead to its own problems.

    Happy New Year!

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  2. Lovely poem, Eve. I say my prayers in the morning and night, at meals, and anytime during the day when I feel a thank you is needed or I remember something or someone. Those aren't long prayers during the day. The good Lord doesn't care. He isn't interested in fancy phrasing or public show. All that is necessary is a contrite heart and sincerity.

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  3. Lovely poem, Eve. I say my prayers in the morning and night, at meals, and anytime during the day when I feel a thank you is needed or I remember something or someone. Those aren't long prayers during the day. The good Lord doesn't care. He isn't interested in fancy phrasing or public show. All that is necessary is a contrite heart and sincerity.

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  4. I thank God fairly often and when I do I usually stutter through my thanks. Happily, God doesn't mind. Wonderful poem, Eve.

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  5. I always feel like my prayers aren't good enough. Unless I cry. Then maybe.

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  6. Beautiful poem, Eve. God hears our prayers no matter how short or long:).

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  7. Thanks for sharing your poem with us. Here is wishing that 2017 is a wonderful one for you! :)
    ~Jess

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