Category: Poetry
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Reconciliation
It’s an old scar. Why bring it up? Everyone has forgotten. I have forgiven daily I have forgiven myself for getting caught in the middle I have forgiven themFor they did not know what they were doing.For a year I did not rush into healingNor tried to cover it up.I went away to nurse my broken heartAnd it has…
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Writing yourself in a book
Now both Conrad and I are published writers. Even if you don’t write yourself in a story, even if you don’t publish an autobiography, writing is vulnerable. For some reason blogging doesn’t feel so dramatically final. Maybe it’s the false impression that I can take it back, shutting down the blog. I am fully aware…
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Three women in their thirties discussing burnout
It is not an exhaustive presentation. We all shared from what we learned as we traveled through the valley of burnout, camping there for a while, reaching the valley from different directions. Some having started the climb up a while ago. Awareness of where we are is a great starting point. And you don’t have…
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Don’t quit. Just take a break
Marriage is not martyrdom Parenting is not martyrdom Life for Christ is But it is also meant to be lived with gusto Balance Wisdom Boundaries Tasting and savoring the sweetness of life Laying it down at the foot of the cross. It’s not a paradox It is wholehearted living. Taking time to rest. To be…
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mount Hebron dew
Hungry and lonely We are or have been foreignersGod called us out of our father’s housePilgrims and sojournersWe are not home stillBut we got a glimpse of our final destinationA taste of what’s to come. The banquet.Meanwhile we cook on this side of heavenAnd we pull a chair or a benchOr add another table to…
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About having a voice
From invisible and underestimated Stepping into the light Being visible burdened with expectations I learn to live With purpose Quiet and clear Humble and bold. I grew up singing Traian dorz poems My theological foundation Music has the power to activate parts of the brain that nothing else could My crossroads prayers had words borrowed…
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The effort
Livia shows up. I see her. She sees me. It has been a year of brokenness and exhaustion. Sometimes we can’t articulate with all the words the darkness we felt. But in it, there was a light. Steady. Bright. Why did you come? Why are you going? What’s here to do? What’s there to do?…
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Contextual reading
I re-read Psalm 132 in Romanian. It doesn’t have the same hint of favoritism as I sensed in the English version. It does not compare my value and my worth today with a specific dwelling in time and space. I’m reminded of the power of languages. And I don’t even speak the original Hebrew version. …
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Too much or too little attention
The need to be seen, to be acknowledged, is timeless, ageless, borderless. I start from a place of awe and gratitude that I am even included. I know I am valued, loved and safe, but for some reason I have this sense of being invisible. I sometimes take my leave from parties without saying goodbye…
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Bearing witness
“Save me” – When the enemy is outside, calling for Father, calling out to be saved, it’s natural and sane. When we slide into overwork, the mental load is crushing, and we forget our boundaries. We feel like we can’t say no. Because those asking for our help seem helpless. Be that our kids or…
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the freedom I know
As we sit around the table, the question of faith comes up again. I love that the topic is up for discussion, and open curiosity is a healthy sign of intelligence, and a desire to learn, to know, to grow. The truth is that we love God. We follow Jesus. And our story is not…
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What does it take?
It takes a first step. A step into the light. A step into faith. Breaking bread. Olive oil. Healing through stories. Slowly. Tears streakA slow river in the desert Though it bursts forth Day in and day outIt dissipates Absorbed by the thirsty land of hurt. Bearing witness Is all we can do.Our faith is unusual But nothing else feels as real,Strong and soothing As the unassuming…