January 27, 2000
Dear Kim,
As I sit here in my little ant infested dormitory, I will tell you the same thing I told my best friend last night.
The longer I travel down the path of my life, the more I am torn in two directions. Half of me wants to run home to my childhood—with the security of things such as pudding with Nilla Wafers and bananas, Saturday morning cartoons, Cabbage Patch Kids, church with the whole family, or Sundaes on Saturday evenings. The other half of me wants to run into the frightening and exciting unknown—the harsh city, the solace of countryside, or the outskirts of town in the “hick-est” little nowhere ever. While I sometimes think I must choose, rationally I know that my life will probably be a combination of both. One of the most beautiful things I can think of is taking the joys of yesterday into tomorrow. I thank God that you are one of those joys: all the happiness of my life embodied in memories and the basic hope of tomorrow. I thank God even more that I have you, forever, no farther away than the local phone, computer, or post office. I too am always here for you.
Sometimes in the quiet of my college experience, I wonder just how all that is happening to me right now fits into the grand scheme of my life. I wonder if sometimes God looks at me like I look at these ants, screaming, “What are you doing? Why won’t you do what I say?” I, like my ants, have followed the crowd at times, chasing after some old sugary candy. If I keep this up, surely I will be lead into destruction, the same way my ants are going to get a whooping when I come back from work and classes.
Playing God with My Ant Friends,
Amie Sommars
Monday, February 28, 2011
Poem: Why I Understand Nuns
“Why I Understand Nuns”
circa 1999
I love Him because He didn’t steal my heart,
But rather asked gently, “Can I heal the hurting part?”
He said, “I’ll shower you with gifts—anything for you.
Just ask for what you want- that’s all you have to do.”
I am but an ugly rock standing next to Him,
But He says that I am the most precious kind of gem.
He says if I give Him my rags, torn and dirtied dark,
Then I will receive a sparkling robe, shining without a mark.
I tell Him I am tired from the battles I have fought.
He says, “I’ll give you strength, for this is how you’re taught.”
I say, “You will never understand me. You can’t see through my facade.”
He gently says, “ I love you, child, and that is why I‘m God.”
I say, “I am not worthy of having You to love.”
He says, “Take a look around you, look down and look above.
I created everything that you see and even more.
I am the reasons the flowers grow and the reason eagles soar.”
“But I, oh Lord, am not a bird. Nor, am I a flower.”
He says, “But you are a temple. And if you’ll allow, I’ll supply you power.”
I do not pretend to understand Him or the grace He shines on me,
And I do not pretend to think, my past He can not see.
I cry, “But my mind will not forget the memories that I’ve stored.”
He says, “I forgive you always, and that is why I’m Lord.”
circa 1999
I love Him because He didn’t steal my heart,
But rather asked gently, “Can I heal the hurting part?”
He said, “I’ll shower you with gifts—anything for you.
Just ask for what you want- that’s all you have to do.”
I am but an ugly rock standing next to Him,
But He says that I am the most precious kind of gem.
He says if I give Him my rags, torn and dirtied dark,
Then I will receive a sparkling robe, shining without a mark.
I tell Him I am tired from the battles I have fought.
He says, “I’ll give you strength, for this is how you’re taught.”
I say, “You will never understand me. You can’t see through my facade.”
He gently says, “ I love you, child, and that is why I‘m God.”
I say, “I am not worthy of having You to love.”
He says, “Take a look around you, look down and look above.
I created everything that you see and even more.
I am the reasons the flowers grow and the reason eagles soar.”
“But I, oh Lord, am not a bird. Nor, am I a flower.”
He says, “But you are a temple. And if you’ll allow, I’ll supply you power.”
I do not pretend to understand Him or the grace He shines on me,
And I do not pretend to think, my past He can not see.
I cry, “But my mind will not forget the memories that I’ve stored.”
He says, “I forgive you always, and that is why I’m Lord.”
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Last Words
The scripture is full of wisdom on the importance of using our words carefully. Proverbs, especially, is filled with this instruction. A few things we are told:
* Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3)
* Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. (Proverbs 25:15)
* A person finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word! (Proverbs 15:23)
I was pleasantly surprised last night when I watched one of my favorite shows - How I Met Your Mother. It won me over from the very first episode with its contemporary comedy, but it seems of recent to have reached a level of enjoyment for me as there seems to be more heartfelt moments. Last night's episode dealt with the significance of your last words.
When it was over, I turned on Facebook - still emotionally numb to a certain extent - only to notice that a friend posted that her friend had died over the weekend. I went to his FB page to see what his final post was. I had to laugh when I read, "I don't wanna be a Pisces. Not that there's anything wrong with that." Do you think he would have chosen that to be his final post?
So, it really got me thinking: our words have such power. We can do so much good - or bad - with our words. I hope you come away from this random little blog with a gentler word to speak because we never know when it might be our last.
* Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3)
* Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. (Proverbs 25:15)
* A person finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word! (Proverbs 15:23)
I was pleasantly surprised last night when I watched one of my favorite shows - How I Met Your Mother. It won me over from the very first episode with its contemporary comedy, but it seems of recent to have reached a level of enjoyment for me as there seems to be more heartfelt moments. Last night's episode dealt with the significance of your last words.
When it was over, I turned on Facebook - still emotionally numb to a certain extent - only to notice that a friend posted that her friend had died over the weekend. I went to his FB page to see what his final post was. I had to laugh when I read, "I don't wanna be a Pisces. Not that there's anything wrong with that." Do you think he would have chosen that to be his final post?
So, it really got me thinking: our words have such power. We can do so much good - or bad - with our words. I hope you come away from this random little blog with a gentler word to speak because we never know when it might be our last.
Monday, January 3, 2011
New. Year. Resolutions.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. (Galatians 6:2-5, NIV)
The New Year: That delightful time when we make ourselves promises we don't expect to keep. Right!? I'm optimistic, so I'd like to believe that resolutions are made when we take a moment to "test" our actions and we see that we fail in some area. Good for us!
Unfortunately, we don't continue to work at these goals, for one reason or another. Laziness? Fear? Distraction? Excuses? All of the above, and then some!
What I keep discovering is that I have to chose to live the life I dream about - it's not about a year. I need to daily do what I want to be. If I want to be rich, I save money. If I want to be healthy, I eat well and exercise. This is not rocket science, and yet we all struggle with it.
Along with a whole list of other things, I want to be someone who is able to carry other's burdens and take pride in myself. It starts this new year, and more importantly, it starts today.
The New Year: That delightful time when we make ourselves promises we don't expect to keep. Right!? I'm optimistic, so I'd like to believe that resolutions are made when we take a moment to "test" our actions and we see that we fail in some area. Good for us!
Unfortunately, we don't continue to work at these goals, for one reason or another. Laziness? Fear? Distraction? Excuses? All of the above, and then some!
What I keep discovering is that I have to chose to live the life I dream about - it's not about a year. I need to daily do what I want to be. If I want to be rich, I save money. If I want to be healthy, I eat well and exercise. This is not rocket science, and yet we all struggle with it.
Along with a whole list of other things, I want to be someone who is able to carry other's burdens and take pride in myself. It starts this new year, and more importantly, it starts today.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Making Time vs Finding Time
I'm 19 days into my 40 days of prayer journey. For the past 19 days I have met at my church - everyday - with a small group of friends. All we do is pray for our community as we walk around the civic center. It's amazing how each night my prayers lead in a different direction. There is truly a lot to pray for, but that is for another blog.
What has really impressed me about these last 19 days is that every day I have chosen to stop whatever else I was doing and be at my church at 6pm - tired, busy, rain or shine, even on Halloween.
All too often I find myself saying I can't find time to do what I want. I suddenly realized that I must chose to MAKE TIME for God. I make time to shower everyday. I make time to go to work everyday. I make time to eat 3 meals a day. I make time to do all these things and many others because I know if I don't that there will be consequences.
What do you need to make time for in your life?
What has really impressed me about these last 19 days is that every day I have chosen to stop whatever else I was doing and be at my church at 6pm - tired, busy, rain or shine, even on Halloween.
All too often I find myself saying I can't find time to do what I want. I suddenly realized that I must chose to MAKE TIME for God. I make time to shower everyday. I make time to go to work everyday. I make time to eat 3 meals a day. I make time to do all these things and many others because I know if I don't that there will be consequences.
What do you need to make time for in your life?
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