Untitled

This poem has been a long time in the making and has in fact existed for a long time in my heart. I couldn't (or out of selfishness just haven't until now) put it into words. I've been absent from poetry writing for quite some time, but when trying to explain myself to a friend the other night, was challenged and decided to try again. And despite the fact that, yes, I was being semi-selfish about keeping this beautiful realization to myself rather than sharing it, it is also completely true that didn't and still don't even think I did Him justice in attempting to explain how I feel and see Him. Being in Mississippi has inspired and challenged me in the best of ways. I have seen things I would never have thought to stop and look at and have been drawn closer than ever before to The Love of my life. I thought about titling this poem "I Love You" but decided against titling it anything. God works in mysterious ways and I feel I've already cut Him short in trying to express this in words, so I'll let His Spirit title it for you. I hope you feel His touch in reading this. He is everywhere - we just have to notice.

Untitled

It’s the way that You wink as You open Your eyes – so many unaware
The sunrise revealing a part of Yourself you want so badly to share.
It’s the way that You tenderly caress my frame – while nobody else will know
That the gentle breeze journeying by is a part of You to me You show.
It’s the way that You delicately kiss my skin – in public the secret still hides
For the warmest sunbeam Your bidding obeys through most beautiful skies.
It’s the way that You tell me You’re thinking of me – so obvious I almost don’t see
All around on the ground fragile blooms can be found and one of them there just for me.
It’s the way that You whisper sweet sayings to me – though nobody else can hear
Through the rustling trees Your voice comes to me and it is as if you stood near.
It’s the way that You prepare my every path – so as not to let one step alone
In the way the ground gives ‘neath my feet it is clear that by myself I do not roam.
It’s the way that You laugh and You ask me to join – though others do not understand

In the bubbling brook Your mirth does appear and it's there that You offer me Your hand.
It’s the way that You bestow me with every gem – though the world may be blind to it all
In the light through the clouds, gold dances down and silver rings in showers fall.
It’s the way that You softly remind me each day that You’re with me and in me alive
When each breath I take is full of Your scent and from You courage each day can derive.
It’s the way that You lovingly tuck me in bed at the end of each beautiful day
In a blanket of stars wrap me close to your heart “Good night and I love you” You say.
It’s the way that You every day remind me, if I’ll just take the time, stop, and heed
That every day in every way “I love you!” You’ve written - for those who will read.

-Meagan Offerman
January 24, 2010

On Second Glance...

Everything's coming at me all at once.
I'm scared.
And I'm failing.
Being steadily chipped away at.

But when I take another look... it's ok.
I realize I don't have to stand - He holds me.
I don't have to take the brunt force - for I am safely inside my "strong tower."
And not only this but I see that it is my Maker holding the chisel.
I rest knowing I am safe and He is working His will.
He is creating the beautiful thing He originally intended.
It may hurt now.
It may be confusing.
But I am in the safest place I could ever be - my loving Father's care.

Psalm 61:3- "For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe."
Proverbs 18:10- "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

An Example to Follow

As I was moving back into my college dorm the other day I found a notebook on which I had written down some thoughts about Matthew 4:1-11. I was encouraged by what I had written, so I thought I would share. I hope it lifts you up a little too.

Jesus' reply:
"Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds
out of the mouth of God." (taken from Duet 8:3)
~ God will provide.

Jesus' reply:
"You shall not put the LORD your God to the test." (taken from Deut 6:16)
~ God knows - you don't need to.

Jesus' reply:
"You shall worship the LORD your God and serve Him only." (taken
from Deut 6:13)
~ Keep God first. Always. Period.

I, like all people, am tempted to do some things that would bring me more comfort, boost my ego, or simply be "easier." In times like those, I think remembering Christ's own example and following it is the best thing I can do. However, sometimes, I just don't think to think about it. Apparently at some point in the past I did though, and I wrote it down. I hope you find this as encouraging as I did. He is God. Even in the common temptations - even in the smallest of things.

Matthew 4 (The Temptation of Jesus)

1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit
into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty
nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of
God, tell these stones to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is
written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from
the mouth of God.'"
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the
highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw
yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his
angels concerning you, and they will lift
you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot
against a stone.'"
7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your
God to the test.'"
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all
the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he
said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10Jesus said to him,
"Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve
him only.'"
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

*taken from http://www.biblegateway.com/

Just some thoughts...

Yea! 2010! It's so crazy how time has been flying by. One minute I'm a insecure teenager and by the next blink I'm looking at my 20th birthday (though not necessarily any less insecure). I've grown so much in the past two years (emotionally, mentally, and spiritually) but at times I still look around and see everyone "growing up" and deciding what to do with their life while I feel like I'm sitting by going "Wait a second! I'm not an adult!" Then there are the times when I know that I'm doing exactly what I'm suppose to be doing. I've noticed how it can be really difficult. Some times it feels like you're supposed to be preparing for the future and yet at the same time, you're denied access to it. This morning's sermon was about living your life by markers (ie - when I turn 20, when I graduate college, when I start my career, when I *fill in the blank*). How far do I have to go/ what do I have to accomplish before X, Y, or Z happens? I've had recent events make me question what it is that I really want. In a panic I ran to godly advisors and self-help books. After getting frustrated because I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere, God seemed to just kinda tap me on the shoulder and say "You're pursuing all this, but the reason you're frustrated is because you aren't asking me". While I thought I had been handling things well, I realized I was looking for my answers in people and books. I felt kinda like Peter when he walked on water. I can get so caught up in what's going on that sometimes I forget that if I would just re-focus and put my eyes back on God, half my issues wouldn't even be problems. I'm not a "New Year's Resolution" kinda girl, but I think that this is going to be my focus for this next year: sheerly pursuing God and not worrying about everything else. I encourage you as you make your resolutions to seriously consider letting God handle the little things in your life. After all - stress (at least mine) is more often a bunch of little things than it is 1 or 2 big things. He'll take care of the little things (and the big ones) if you let Him. Happy New Year everyone! :)