Dead Flowers

 I stopped and stared at dead flowers in a vase.

This      is     how      I     feel.       

Slowly drooping.

Running out of life,

not enough of the things that help me thrive.

 

So, I hold on to the little things, little bits of hope left.

Walking with a friend or family member.

Hugs and time with my partner (only person I'm allowed to hug) 

Zoom meet ups (sometimes helping and sometimes just makes me miss people).

Recently grading to orange belt in Karate online with one of my clients. 

Going to work and supporting others through this time of uncertainty.

 A testing centre in Concord that I can walk to along the river and amongst trees.

Having had both my vaccines done months ago brings me reassurance.

 

Life is frustrating and confusing.

The rules keep changing and it’s hard to keep up.

The restrictions and all the thigs I must do to continue support work.

Testing every three days, mask on, ID’s, work permit, and vaccination proof.

My phone must be changed in case I get stopped and I’m on high alert.

 

Yet at least we are all in the vase together.

We’re all finding things hard.

If we hold together onto hope…

perhaps water will come soon.

The more we get vaccinated, I think, the more we have.

 

Please, be careful out there and get vaccinated soon as you can.

Stay safe and keep it safe.

For everyone.

We are all in this together. Like it or not.

Words Have Impact

 

I heard a word thrown out upon the wind.

‘Spaz’. I took a breath.

Thinking… there’s that word.

After all the strives we’re made…

Still… this man talking to his partner pushing a stroller…

uses this expression… flipping it out into the world.

Using it to complain about a mistake that was made.

 

Why?

 

Perhaps he does not know what it means.

As a person who is part of the disabled community…

I do.

Trauma, advocacy, hospital visits, fighting for acceptance, and being so very, very tired.

And that is just one word.

There are so many other triggering words.

Be careful what you say.

Listen and be open to change.

As ‘Too Peas in a Podcast’ say:

‘Know better, do better’.

 

 

 

Under a Tree

 Come with me with brain a buzz

Sit under this tree. Breathe, look, and feel.

Watch the ant climb the roots. 

Listen to the leaves that provide shade.

Feel the earth beneath and the bark at your back, so firm.

Hear the words of the Lord within you.

Peaceful is faith as firm as this tree in the ground. 

The Call

I felt the call.

The call of faith

To accept and help

Those that do not fit

In a world reluctant to change

 

So sorry for not getting it

The way everyone else does

It is not consistently said

Editing who you are is painful.

 

I have been there.

Like too many have

It is not even or fair.

listen, ask, think, and act.

How can I make this better?  

Look Beyond

 

Look beyond.

Beyond prejudice.

Beyond opinion.

Beyond yourself.

 

Look ahead.

At the person here.

Not far away. Not in rule books.

There is compassion needed here.

 

Look inside.

In your community.

Question what your reactions are and why.

For together we can make change.

If we listen and give voice to everyone.

 

Can you be sure that your response reflects Christ?

He included outcasts. The exclude and the judged.

People who were pushed aside and told to be quiet.

He encouraged and empowered women and all people.

Will we do the same?

 

“Whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the God’s glory…”

1 Corithians 10:31

" Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and edification". 

Romans 14:19

“there is neither jew nor gentile, slave nor free, nor is there male nor female, 

for you are all one in Jesus Christ." 

Galatians 3:28

Speak for the Voiceless

 

There are some. The voiceless.

There are some. Weary and numb.

There are some. Invisible and quiet.

 

There are some. Not able to speak.

There are some. Who cover their pain.

There are some. Who say, “This is the way it is.”

 

Come and seek. Look and take and encourage.

Come and seek. Advocate for fairness.

Come and seek. Lift and make clear a message quiet and sincere.  

 

For there is persecution.

For there is pain dismissed.

For there is prejudice and protest.

 

Here we stand… together.

Everyone has the right to speak.

Not just on International Women’s Day.  

Proverbs 31:8 (NLT)

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed."

 

 

 

Knowledge

Knowledge learnt

Knowledge felt

Knowledge understood

Knowledge taken for granted 

Knowledge of listening and asking questions

Knowledge of what is to come 

Knowledge linked with hope

Knowledge linked with empathy 

Knowledge linked with faith

As a Christian I have learnt and feel the knowledge. 

I know that Jesus will come back a restored and heal.

He will welcome in all that recognise and rejoice in his call.

Romans 10:13-15 (NLV) 

"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved from the punishment of sin.

But how can they call on him if they have not put their trust in him? And how can they put their trust in him if they have not heard of him? And how can they hear of him unless someone tells them.

To me, this knowledge is a blessing that should be shared to the ends of the earth. 

What knowledge is a blessing to you?