Courage, With Joy

Below is a message from my friend Jane, sent to me years ago

after I confessed how terribly terrified I am to share the poetry publicly...

I printed and scotch-taped her reminder beside my computer screen

and it has been a powerful reminder more times than I can count...

Because of the prolific nature of this 'poem-porch' 

one might assume it's easy to hit 'publish' and bare heart-pieces to the world. 

But if it were possible to pull apart the place where feelings lie you would see

so much would-be insecurity, timidity and fear! 

However, whatever our creative outlet is, 

we only ever create with what God first has created. 

We are like children playing with His crayons 

and thereby we create 

and owe God an answer when He asks,

'What are you going to do with it?'

The most terrifying, exhilarating thing we will ever do

is to 'let go and let God!'

My friends host our church's podcast for women.

 Another friend is the guest on the latest episode 8.

I was so touched by her reminder that,

'as we are aware that we create with what He gives

creativity becomes a source and form of constant worship'

Yes, and

 This worship helps to fill life with constant joy!

George Macdonald wrote over a hundred years ago

"A poet is a man who is glad of something and

tries to make other people glad of it too"

That quote is still as true as ever

and reveals why an artist has the courage, with joy,

to share what they/we have created...

...to recognize with holy awe that all we are and touch

Is created and granted by He who loves us so much

We are so very diff'rent, yet still so very 'the same'

Created in His image to bring glory to His name

How loud doubt's voice would shout with fearful insecurity

Without His still small voice that whispers 'just do it for Me'

Then suddenly dark demons flee and joy transforms despair

As we honour His majesty with talents He put there 

Forbid, when face to face we give account for what we did

That pride or doubt or lack of faith kept our talents hid

Or that Comparison, (the deadliest kill-joy of all)

Would have succeeded in making us ashamed of His Call

So pray for courage to proceed with joy to glorify

The Giver with the gift that He has given you and I

Then, as we hold the crayons, may we be filled with sheer awe 

To feel His Hand over our fingers, teaching us to draw

Janet Martin

Let's all seek to bless others by glorifying the Giver

with our gift/s.

This poem could also be called

Why my to-do list grows longer and longer

because in the middle of Very Busy...a poem might nudge😊