Empathy | pictured words

Each year, I choose a word.
Grace, joy, giving, hospitality, empathy, prayer …
You know, words that improve my focus
and my life.
Not one for resolutions,
the idea of a word of the year appeals to me.
It is simple. Embraceable.
I nearly chose prayer again,
but after much thought and, well, prayer,
I decided on open.
Open heart.
Open door.
Open to grace, joy, giving, hospitality, empathy, prayer …
Open.
And I’ll open 2023 in prayer
that my Lord will more fully open my heart
to His open arms.

September 7, 2018

THERE ARE TIMES (AND WE ARE IN THEM)

baby-3109433_1280

There are times (and we are in them)
when people communicate
without vision,
in every way in which that phrase
may be defined.

There are times (and we are in them)
when truth seems intangible,
and lies lie before us.
With us.
In us.

There are times (and we are in them)
when the enemy of our souls
thinks he has the best of us,
because we give him reason.

There are times (and we are in them)
when the God who created all
sees His creation through eyes
we cannot even glimpse,
much less grasp.

There are times (and we are in them)
when this same God
immeasurably loves His weak children
and holds our downcast, shamed faces
in His hands.

There are times (and we are in them)
when the need for one another
is greater than the sum total
of the sin we daily live.

There are times (and we are in them)
that crave recognition of
our Savior’s costly love for us –
to help us see ourselves and others
for what we are:
children
in need of love.

© Marie Elena Good, 2018

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January 18, 2016

Eyes to See

Drawing “Dragon’s Den” (with self portrait) by Deanna Marie Metts

To look into another’s eyes
And truly see the soul that cries –
The fear and angst on which it feeds
The love that lost, the heart that bleeds
The expectation that misleads
The loveliness beneath the needs
The strength behind the smallest deeds
The blooms among the choking weeds.
This trampled soul with courage tries
Beyond what meets the eye implies.

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pictured words

Tag: Empathy

January 1, 2023

NEW WORD FOR 2023

September 7, 2018

THERE ARE TIMES (AND WE ARE IN THEM)

January 18, 2016

Eyes to See