On this page, you will see a new work, a timely poem, or a comment (mini musing) posted once or more each month for the previous six months. The category page from which each work is taken is listed in parentheses ( ). MAY 1, 2021 Here is a little public service announcement for the folks who regularly visit gratefulsue.com. I have needed to update my website for quite some time. I hope to get to that in May. So don't be surprised if things suddenly look different. It's still me, gratefulsue. Look for the Whooping Crane image. (I love that bird!) The past month has flown by. I have had some worries and some joys, but mostly just "business as usual" concerning my daily activities and responsibilities. Although an outsider looking in would say my life is great, my inner dialogue is often negative. Do you ever have that problem? I even know the answer to my problem. I need to stay focused on the present and doing what God has for me to do this day in particular. Don't worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:24). It's just applying it that's difficult. As you might notice in the poem below, based on its date, I've had this struggle for quite some time. Haha. (From: Contentment Musings) Here Is Where I Live
Why do I sometimes wish for lives I do not have? Dreams which cannot happen, and more choices, good or bad?
Because I know my body won’t outlast all my ambitions. The temporal clock is ticking and will quit—despite planned missions.
“Eternity in my heart” is the 1. way God has explained it… A will to live forever, “do it all” and then contain it.
But here is where I live, and what I have is His provision. So, how I live and love reveals my single, or double-vision. 2.
1. Ecclesiastes 3:11 2. James 1:8
gratefulsue 2/14/02 (C) 2015 gratefulsue APRIL 4, 2021 I know that many of us long for a world where there is no more brokenness, sin, disease, or sorrow, a world where people just do the right thing. Well, I do anyway. That's what heaven promises to be, "no more death or mourning or crying or pain." (Revelation 21:4) I used to fear death, but now I don't need to because I have believed in the Bible's words: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) Now, I look forward to being my best self, being with the Lord Jesus, being with loved ones who have gone on before me. What a wonderful Savior we have! No more fear of death! He has paid the penalty which our brokenness demands, by dying in our place. We may become His children, saved from eternal death, simply through our faith in Jesus as the Son of God. His death and resurrection (which we celebrate today) prove that He is Lord over death and He is able to keep His promises! He is risen, never to die again! If you are not sure that you have eternal life, read the poem below and then take the time to look up the Bible references and read them in the surrounding context. Jesus IS who he claims to be. You can trust Him. (From: Doctrines) Water of Life (a song)
What ere was written long ago has stood the test of time. Past praises penned for Christ our King 1. will endure longer than mine.
I only bring one song of praise, one voice among the throng. Yet still, I’ll write of “the water of life” 2. freely given, all the day long!
Where else can I go? From whom may I learn “the way the truth and the life”? 3. The way of repentance? Forgiveness? Acceptance? Rescue from eternal strife?
He died in my place, my curse to take, 4. His life in exchange for mine! Then rose from the dead to prove He is God 5. and fulfill prophetic signs. 6.
This Lion of Judah,7. Messiah, and Lord, this Son of God divine— Came to give me eternal life! “I am His, and He is mine!” 8.
All you who are searching, all you who are lost, believe in the Savior today! 9. Worth every sacrifice, more than enough, He is worthy! Come, I pray! 10.
1. 1 Chronicles 17:7-15, Matthew 2:1-2, John 18:33-37 2. John 4:13-14, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:1, 16-17 3. John 14:4-6 4. Deuteronomy 21:22-23, Isaiah 53:1-12, Galatians 3:7-14 5. Psalm 16:9-10, Acts 2:22-32, Isaiah 9:6, John 20:24-31 6. Jonah 1:17, Matthew 12:38-40, Psalm 2:7-12, Acts 13:26-39 7. Genesis 49:8-10, Luke 3:23, 33, Revelation 5:4-10 8. From, “I am His, and He Is Mine” by George W. Robinson, 1876, Public Domain 9. Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 19:10, John 1:12-13 10. John 3:14-17, Numbers 21:4-8, Revelation 5:9-14
gratefulsue 4/12/20 Easter day © 2020 gratefulsue MARCH 31, 2021 The lyrics to the chorus of the song, Grown-Up Christmas List, on Amy Grant’s album, “Home For Christmas,” are outstanding. (Music and lyrics are written by David Foster and Linda Thompson Jenner.) You should listen to them. I so relate to their sentiment, which is basically for all to be right in the world and everyone to be happy. Wouldn’t that be nice! Obviously, this very unrealistic wish doesn’t just apply at Christmas time, but all year-round. Now, after a rough summer in 2020, a Capitol riot in January, and two mass murders in March, the longing for peace and goodwill is all the more poignant. Shall I suggest another verse to the chorus?
“No more violence to be found; no more bodies on the ground, but healing all around, No more guns for hurting minds; help for mentally ill and blind; more helpers wise and kind…” Our broken world... the reason why Jesus came to earth... to rescue us from ourselves. Check back for a more hopeful reminder in a few days... Easter's coming! MARCH 1, 2021 If you have ever seen light shining through a prism, you know how amazing it is to see the seven colors of light displayed that were formerly hidden! When that light source is the sun, the colors move slowly, just as the sun does, and get less or more intense, depending on the angle of the sun, making light seem like it has a living "soul." This "celebration" of light always exists even when we can't see it... just like people, who are always much more than what meets the eye. (From: Nature) Prism
Warm white beams stream through the glass unnoticed, Filling the room with light and past shadows missed.
Concealing their splendor, they follow strict instructions. But glory uncovered, in an instant, gives introduction.
Invisible, yet present, like a spirit you know is there. Colors shy and reserved are now bold in prism’s snare.
Seven friends appear—who amaze, dance, boast, and play. Holding hands, they move and promenade for their brief stay.
Light’s soul infrequently graces the world with its rays. Just like people, who conceal their rainbows in jars of clay. 1.
1. 2 Corinthians 4:7
gratefulsue 4/25/18 © 2018 gratefulsue FEBRUARY 23, 2021 Two memorial services in one week Last week, I attended two zoom memorial services. The first was for a young man of 25, who died tragically, from a drug overdose. He was an only child. Friends and relatives kept the tone upbeat, remembering the young man as someone who lived life to the fullest, took risks, was himself, loved people, and loved life. I did not doubt that was true. It was not the time to focus on his battle with drugs or the number of times his loving parents had prayed for his deliverance, which, with an odd twist, was ultimately answered. Their son was finally free. The service was difficult to attend. So much potential in a young life, lost. Everything that was said was true, and so was everything that was not said.
The second memorial service was for Tom, a 66-year-old man who had Downs syndrome. He died of old age. (66 is really old for people with Downs syndrome.) At this service, everyone talked about Tom’s long and satisfying life and especially about how much they had learned from him. He lived one day at a time. He smiled a lot, big over-sized, ear-to-ear smiles. He was very honest--except when playing his favorite board game, where he sometimes cheated to try and win! He loved his job: a daily workshop where he was employed along with other special needs workers. He liked to dance to records in his younger years. He was a Yankees and a Cowboys fan. Many agreed he was also known to be stubborn! The service was beautiful and authentic. So much irony. The younger man should have had a long and fulfilling life. The Downs syndrome man very well could have had a short and sad life. (At the time of his birth, the average life expectancy for Downs children was only 12 years old!) But just the opposite of what was expected happened, for both men. Life is beautiful and difficult. Be authentic, practice empathy, have faith, and hug your children while you can. FEBRUARY 1, 2021 (From: Suffering)
Does Jesus want my happiness Above all else on earth? Does His love for me insure A life of peace and mirth?
“Not so.” His Word speaks to my heart— No promises of ease. Yes, His love is strong and thick— But not, “just as you please.”
I oft forget that suffering is A promise in the Holy Book— Passed down from Jesus and the Apostles When the path of “disciple” I took.
Persecutions, difficulties, Make my faith more pure. Death to self, to life and all, His mandate—to be sure.
Are feelings hurt or spirits crushed? Or loved ones sore abused? My Lord does see and feel my pain. I know He’s not amused.
But, He will let me bear that cross, Yet, offering His grace. While in this world I have the chance To taste the tears on his face.
gratefulsue 12/4/95 (C) 2015 gratefulsue JANUARY 23, 2021 As a poet, I could not help but be impressed with the beautiful poem written by Amanda Gorman, Harvard grad and National Youth Poet Laureate, delivered to the nation on January 20th, Inauguration Day. Regardless of one's political persuasion, if you are also a poet, you will be challenged and encouraged by her craft and creativity, her points and positivity, her alliteration and inspiration. If you haven't heard it or read it yet, you should! JANUARY 16, 2021 "Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind." Henry James, author JANUARY 1, 2021 One day I looked out the kitchen window, as I often do, and was struck by the shadows of the trees in the yard. Instead of going from right to left in an angle across the grass, they were going from left to right. My kitchen window faces north. While I had been going about my business during the day, the earth had been rotating between breakfast and dinner without my notice. Hence, the inspiration for the poem below. Time marches on and we age without our immediate perception or power to stop it. The beginning of the new year is a good time to reflect. Am I spending my life on the things which matter most to me and to God? Or, am I just going through the motions of daily routines and responsibilities without thought? Let's all make a point of proactively planning for and making space for the people and things we value most. (From: Eternal Perspective) Empty Promise
The trees have flipped their shadows in the yard
Rooms on the dark side of the house are now lit up
The clock reverses its hands in empathy while
The earth pretends to be still.
I feel just the same as I did this morning and afternoon
Life will always be as it is right now
Time is an illusion The moment promises.
But, shadows don’t lie.
gratefulsue 10/28/19 © 2019 gratefulsue DECEMBER 10, 2020 "Work, love, courage, and hope, make me good, and help me cope." Anne Frank April 14, 1944 I am finally reading, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. It has been educational to humanize the suffering of Jews during WWII, though the lens of a young girl in hiding in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from age 13 - 15. She is both a typical, immature school girl in places, and a very honest and wise young lady in other places in her diary, as she grows and engages in self- examination to improve herself, and philosophizes about life. Most of us know the sad end of the story... she loses her life in a concentration camp just prior to the war's end, after her family is discovered and turned in. The above poem captures a glimpse of her strength of character. She had wanted to become a journalist and ultimately, an author. She would have been a good one. DECEMBER 1, 2020 Almost everyone appreciates the Christmas tradition of giving and receiving gifts! If you receive the gift for which you had been hoping, what a delight! However, if you give a gift that someone desperately needs but cannot possibly afford, that's both a joy and a unique privilege!! If we're honest, we all have a desire for eternal life, life after death. But alas, the price is too high! One would have to live a perfect life before God. A life without sin. There is only one person who has ever done this. Jesus, Son of God, born on Christmas Day! And, wonder of wonder, His death (undeserved) in our place, is freely offered for our forgiveness of sins! Eternal life awaits, for all who simply believe... "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (From: Doctrines) Free Gift
“ ’Tis free!” said the merchant, with winking eye— “Buy this, and get that…for free!”
“ ’Tis free!” said the Savior—“Forgiveness of sin. Take the gift which I purchased for Thee.”
One’s free, one isn’t. The difference is plain. You tell me whose offer you’d rather obtain.
gratefulsue 3/7/95 (C) 2015 gratefulsue |
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