"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

9.20.2012

another day

day 19

I thank You for the bitter things
they've been a friend to grace,
they've driven me from paths 
of ease
To storm the secret place.

I thank You for the friends who've failed
To meet my soul's deep need;
They've driven me to the Savior's feet
Upon His love to feed.

I'm grateful too, through all
life's way
No one could satisfy,
And so I've found in You alone
My rich, my full supply!

~Florence White Willett


These are not my words...how I wish I could say  they are.  Most of the time I am not thankful for the bitter things. I expect too much from those that love me.  I have learned that I am more selfish than I knew.  I have learned that I don't always love very well.  I have learned that I like to protect my heart...because it has been hurt and let down in the past.  

I am not saying these things to get attention...for you to say, "you are not that bad".  These are truths that I am facing up to.  Here's the thing, knowing the truth does not devastate me.  It could, and would have in the past.  But I am on a journey and God is replacing my old ways of thinking, reacting and living.  As He fills those empty, needy places in my heart I am letting go of the need for others to fill them.  That frees me to enjoy them, and receive what they can give with gratefulness.  It get's them off the hook for having to be more than they are.  Then, when they fail me, and they will, I can still love them and not get angry or hurt because they did not meet my expectations of them.  

One day, I will be able to read the words of that poem and say, yes, yes, yes!!

Grace and peace

8 comments:

jgr said...

Mary, this is a lovely poem, and (once again) your color palette is SO beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful words.

Wishing you a restful night and a good weekend.

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Inspiring post Mar, rich.

Jennifer Richardson said...

"to storm the secret place"
....wow, how much do I love this!
i can just see it
in what I feel sometimes,
the need to storm
the lap of God:)
beautiful images, Mary.
I'm loving this 20 days!
-Jennifer

Say It In Color said...

Wow, thank you for the poem, the art and thank you so much for such insight in the things you find and share with us and even your wonderful honest thoughts....that we can identify with!!! Love everything you do!!

Anonymous said...

I just discovered you today while reading on my lunch hour in a book store near work! I read something you wrote in a Art Journaling Fall magazine and tears rolled down my face staining it black from my mascara! I HEARD GOD speak TO ME through your words, your art and honestly felt like we were twins seperated at birth, your words, MY HEART, MY Stuggles, even now reading more of your wonderful words and the same feeling stirs.... God is helping me let go of rejections, and hurts, and doubts and so many other things through your words! Thanks - you!

Mary said...

Anonymous, I am grateful...it's fun to see my work in the magazine, but this, you are why I continue...for freedom...from all the junk that keeps us from being all God has planned for us!

Thank you for taking the time to post your precious words, it thrills my heart.

Grace and peace to you!

Tricia said...

This post was an answer to a heart prayer I have been praying to God. I happened to be perusing your blog (I follow you) and came upon this poem last night. I didn't read it, but left it open so that when I got up this morning I could read it. It touched my heart and answered my prayer in a way that only God could do. Amazing. Thank you so much for posting and sharing. I love the artwork you did to go with the poem. It is the art that caught my eye and brought me to the poem and your post. God is good.

I have been art journaling for a while now, but I have wanted to put more of my spiritual life into my journals. I need to be more intentional about that. You are an encouragement!

Blessings,
Tricia