Nostalgia

You never miss the water…

How do you get back what you’ve lost?

You only realise how important it is

When you lose it.

Its value,

Its true meaning,

Its appreciation,

When you find it again,

Do you remember the steps it took to get there?

Or do you lose it a second time?

Nostalgia fuels your dreams.

You remember when,

In the here and now.

The turned back, the classic walk away

The heavy heart and the profound sigh.

Your world stands still and then in an instant, crumbles.

And through your tears, you see it slipping away.

Your tears, the water of the well

That was formerly dry.

That’s the first step, the cry

That washes away the hurt of memories.

You watched tears fall from your cheeks to the parched earth.

Lifting up tear-stained eyes to heaven,

Realising your mistakes

Vowing never to do them again.

Cross your heart, hope to die

From the thirst of the water,

That was formerly in the well that ran dry.

Reminiscence

It stands in contrast to the floral tropical beauty

Its dilapidated state a testimony of reminiscence

Birds of paradise, pink ginger lilies and white anthuriums

Line the L-shaped pathway leading towards the antiquated dwelling

The fruit of mango and breadfruit trees

Hang precariously even dangerously

Over the missing sheet of the galvanized roofing

Looking from a mortal perspective

Imagining what this dwelling place would have

Looked like in days gone by, in its former glory

A combination of beautifully painted wood with

Sturdy concrete supporting the structure

Shiny galvanized roof covering strong wooden beams and rafters

Wooden jalousie windows with complimentary sash windows

White washed front steps and well tended plants and shrubbery.

Looking from an immortal and invisible perspective

There is a solitary being, living in this dilapidated structure

She is safe and secure in a familiar setting

Familiar persons visit with their mortal intentions

To help but she wants nothing to change

Yet everything is changing

Unfamiliar persons use her tropical gardens as a public thoroughfare

To walk from the main road to their respective residences

She retreats in her familiar abode

Safe in her belief that God has protected her thus far

But where is the balance between familiar and unfamiliar?

Where is the balance between reminiscence and reality?

How long do you hold on?

When do you let go?

(The next two weeks are dedicated to inspirational poetry. These poems evoke feelings from within. I hope this one inspires you as well to live in reality and let go.)

Renewing the Mind (Insights into Self Esteem – Chris Ledger and Wendy Bray)

In finding myself accepted, I am able to accept myself for the first time in my life. It feels good to be me. With Jesus I experience a new freedom, a joy in life. I feel valued, loved and held in high esteem by Jesus Christ who by doing this has given me life. This love is different. Jesus is more than the love of my life. He is love. He is life.

I am not to blame for everything. If it is my fault, I will confess my sin and Jesus will forgive me. (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1) Freedom and forgiveness

Jesus wants me, He chose and accepted me. I am part of his family. (Isaiah 41:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13) Love and acceptance

Jesus sees all that I do and says ‘Well done.’ (Matthew 25:21) Acceptance and approval

I am precious to God because He chose me and delights in me. (Isaiah 43:4; Psalm 139:1; Ephesians 1:11-12) Worth

God accepts me as I am. I don’t have to prove myself. (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1; James 2:5) Worth from ‘being’ not ‘doing’

I will do my best and His grace will be sufficient for me. (Isaiah 41:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9) Confidence

YOU are very special

In all the world there is nobody, nobody like you. Since the beginning of time there has never been another person like you. Nobody has you smile, your eyes, your hands, your hair. Nobody owns your handwriting, your voice. YOU’RE SPECIAL.

You’re different from any other person who lived in the history of the universe. You are the only one in the whole creation who has your particular set of abilities. There is always someone who is better at one thing or another. But nobody in the universe can reach the quality of the combination of your talents, your feelings.

Like a roomful of musical instruments, some might excel in one way or another, but nobody can match the symphonic sound when all are played together. YOUR SYMPHONY.

Nobody can paint your brush strokes. Nobody has your taste for food or music or dance or art. Nobody in the universe sees things as you do. In all time there has never been anyone who laughs in exactly your way, and what makes you laugh, or cry, or think may have a totally different response in another. SO…YOU’RE SPECIAL.

Through all eternity no one will ever walk, talk, think or do exactly like you. YOU’RE SPECIAL. You’re rare and in all rarity there is enormous value and because of your value the need for you to imitate anyone else is absolutely wrong. Please realize that God made you for a special purpose. He has a job for you to do that nobody else can do as well as you can. Out of the billions of applicants one is qualified. Only one has the unique and right combination of what it takes and that one is YOU.

You are very special.

(19^th century Anon – revised EJB March 1982)

Truth

Sticks and Stones may break my bones

But words can also hurt me.

Stones and sticks break only skin,

While words are ghosts that haunt me.

Slant and curved the word swords fall

To pierce the stick inside me

Bats and bricks may ache through bones,

But words can mortify me.

Pain from words has left its scar

On the mind and heart that’s tender.

Cuts and bruises have now healed,

It’s words that I remember.

(Barrie Wade)