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Would you like to eavesdrop on an honest rebuke?

This morning, in prayer, I wanted to focus upon all of the things I'm so thankful for to prepare myself for this holiday season. My conscious mind started clicking off the obvious things, like home, health and love. Then, it went into overdrive, digging deeper to offer a list that would show I take nothing for granted. I became more involved with how the prayer reflected on me than in giving pure thanks for His blessings. As I was growing more self-satisfied with how holy and righteous I sounded, He finally told me to shut up! "Stop, stop, stop," He said. "Be still for a minute, will ya? Talking to me isn't like writing a poem, I don't care about fancy words, I go right to the meat of the matter. I knew your heart before you said naught a word, give me a sec to go search it." Ashamed and humbled, I did as He said, sitting silently in abject fear that what He'd see would not please Him. "Okay, He finally said, "I get the picture. I planted a few things while I was in there. Soon, they will grow and take better hold. You won't have to work so hard to name them." It was then I realized that this Thanksgiving Day, the thing topping my list would be that He is faithful and just to do as we ask: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." *Psalm 51:10 Cheesy, "just" as in honorable and fair in one's dealings and actions. Not "just" as in merely. Was that the stumble? You did catch the colon, right? As in, the last two lines are what we ask of Him and He is faithful and just to do it. Or...............maybe they were just poorly written, indeed!

Public Comments

1. I have always wanted a clean heart. Perhaps the desire counts for something.
2. We hide things from ourselves that we don't wish to acknowledge, hoping that God can't see them. But when we go as deep as you did, He reveals those things to us so that we may give them to Him. It is a quite humbling experience and yet such a lifting one, as well. To know that no matter the selfishness, the pride, lust, harbored unforgiveness, ingratitude, neglect of Him, He is faithful to forgive us. It is in what you have done that we begin to grow in our spiritual life and serve Him better. How wondrous that 'His grace is sufficient.' Wonderful write, this morning, Friend.
3. I enjoyed your poem Sue, and I esp. love what BG had to say, and can not add anything else except hugs. He will get us through our hardest times. Just believe.
4. I sent my memo in long ago it came back non deliverable some things do not need said just carried in a heart that's pure then all else seems to dissolve
5. Oh Sue this is pointedly beautiful in spirit and deep in thought. I too pray for a clean heart, and faith in my spirit. Thank you to remind me. Blessings on your thanksgiving.
6. Really nice poem, ma. From the heart, like all the good ones are. "It was then I realized that this Thanksgiving Day, the thing topping my list would be that He is faithful and just to do as we ask:" Maybe I'm dense, but I thought this line was a bit confusing, or, if not confusing, maybe just not as perfect as the rest of the poem.
7. This must have been a difficult write, but you have surely done it justice. I agree with "Cheese", however, the last few lines seem confusing.
8. I loved it thanks Sue.
9. Sue Wonderful poem of Faith. What I got, and have been hit on the head with a sledgehammer bout it, is not seeing as much my Faith in Him, but His Faithfulness to me. In spite of the happenings that surround us, He never, ever, abandons us. I then read it again, and realized this------what you just displayed is a relationship with God. This is what He wants, our total dependence of Him. For some of us it is through Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. I do not disregard others faiths either, just my perspective. So we take this relationship with Our God, and then I look at my own relationships with my fellow brothers and sisters. Some are strained and it should not be that way. For whatever it is worth, during this Thanksgiving season, I do thank God for you. All the others too, and that includes everybody. Am thankful for my friends here in Fort Worth, but this poetry board, despite it all, is a source of refuge for me, and a blessing as well. Thanks Sue for this ritely passage into the heavenly realms. Your talk with The Lord took us there, and I for one want to partake in that discouse much more often. Bri
10. Oh Sue, this is perfect for the season, reminding us of our Father in Heaven and His love and what we ask and what He gives and asks in return. This year I am going to see my father I would love to share this with him. I think he would appreciate the beauty of your words here. I love the last two lines I think I will use them in my nightly prayer for the holiday season. He is probably tired of my regular stuff. Thanks again
11. It ain't easy, is it? Good message. I'll be adhering to it.
12. Very lovely tribute of thankfulness to our Father, Sue. He works in miraculous Ways. We are told in First Thessalonians to give thanks in all circumstances, and sometimes the human nature in us wants us to stress and worry and try to handle things in our own way. I myself fall into that way of thought. Wanting everything good and right and everyone healthy. But we are not God. Going through the tough times has done something good in my life, with every negative experience, we are taught compassion and understanding to help others who are now going through the same thing. God is good. I appreciate these people in the poetry section for sharing their thoughts, and their perspectives. You never know who your words might influence, so ya'all keep up the great work of poetry. Very thought provoking. Blessings Happy Thanks giving all. I have been following this group for quite some time and always enjoy it, even though I don't comment much and am too chicken to share my poetry.