Through our trials, God works powerfully within us to do more than we can perceive or imagine.
From Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Facing disappointment for many months and more
Feeling frustration and despair starting to soar
Realizing that this journey needs a mid-course correction
Pointing an unsteady compass in a totally new direction
Tiring from how many others have treated thee in the past
Looking forward to a future that brings happiness at last
Beating up thyself for any past, painful mistakes
Needing renewed courage for a new life to make
Knowing that this life needs a helping hand
Wanting to scan for a nurturing place to land
Reaching out comes the helping hand of thy God
Sending forth His grace to be thy staff and rod
Shielding eyes from brightest sun at a new dawn
Walking forward with energy that’s never gone
Republishing this poem from February, 2019, brings out a theme many of us have experienced in our past. Take a moment today and look back at your life’s progress going forward from past challenges.
Ever shifting sands
Challenge life’s steady journey—
Changing paradigms
New day, new focus
Meeting today’s challenges—
Feeling satisfied
Mystery waiting
Hidden in darkest corner—
Flashlight discovers
What matters most is how well you walk through fire.
If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start.
Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) is a German-American poet, novelist, and short story writer. His prolific writing produced over 45 books of poetry and prose, and much of his writing spoke to the despairing urban conditions of the downtrodden.
Every path hath a puddle.
The shortest answer is doing.
Life stories fill with the forgotten
Overlooked by the small world at large
Overcoming, life’s spirit takes charge
Victims of ridicule and slander
Entering life’s game as underdogs
Trailblazing amazing monologues
Asking, “Do you believe in miracles?”
Orchestrating man’s quest for a cause
Representing smallest underdogs
Breathing life into new dialogues
Dealing with dark, social injustice
Led by a resolute man, named King
Peacemakers marching, civil rights rings
Daily life recalls profound upsets
“David versus Goliath” contests
Lessons taught from these demanding tests
Smallish Texas Western steps forward
Meeting great Kentucky on the court
Historic win transcends college sports
Never dismiss the ugly duckling
Therein lies a most beautiful swan
Beauty, from deep inside, to act on
Crippled at birth, yet strong in spirit
“Forest Gump” defies the odds on his way
Encouraging us on life’s highway
Holding underdogs close to our hearts
Feeling lost, little to celebrate
Beating back the odds, changing life’s fate
Three different events are highlighted in this poem, with each one claiming a distinct place in America’s cultural perspective of life. The civil rights movement is greatly influenced the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. One of the greatest college sports upsets takes place in 1966 when Texas Western upsets Kentucky. While civil rights continues to move forward, the racial landscape of college basketball is forever transformed as Texas Western’s all-black line-up outplays Kentucky’s all-white line-up. The film “Forest Gump” touches countless hearts with its inspiring story.
Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com
Looming, life’s challenges come from left field
Invading life, pushing through safety shields
Sheltering-in-place brings many changes
Experiencing new rules, with broad ranges
Occupied at home, juggling novel ways
Overcoming change, yet lost in life’s maze
Closing businesses, routines now shuttered
Feeling suddenly strange, life seems cluttered
Playing underfoot, young children amaze
Showing adults, innocence shows new ways
Living with this new normal, upside down
Sensing loss, emotions creating frowns
Praying for those needing support and care
Tapping our faith, God leads with His bright flare
Remaking daily habits, life’s new pace
Shelving normal, left high on a bookcase
Growing each day, uncertainty prevails
Ticking clocks, second hands moving like snails
Hunkering down, persistent virus sprawls
Waiting day by day, patience makes its call
Photo by Shawn Stutzman on Pexels.com
Walking along an unknown, isolated trail
Hoping that this journey goes without fail
Watching skyward for some warm fun
Hiding behind clouds, escapes the sun
Hurrying along the narrow path against the windy cold
Seeking to not find too much adventure—yet be bold!
Traveling quickly, the brisk pace advances along
Thinking this morning hike, nothing can go wrong
Turning a corner, approaching a different place
Seeing a fork coming up and slowing the pace
Searching the mysterious routes of twin solitary trails
Feeling confidence slipping, suspense tips the scales
Deciding to journey down the unfamiliar path on the right
Adjusting the trip’s rhythm, accepting challenges in sight
Moving along another route, sometimes part of life
Aligning conflicting thoughts, without further strife
Finishing this satisfying walk, never feeling ready to fail
Realizing life’s unique treks, resemble being on this trail
Walking along an unknown, isolated trail
Hoping that this journey goes without fail
Watching skyward for some warm fun
Hiding behind clouds, escapes the sun
Hurrying along the narrow path against the windy cold
Seeking to not find too much adventure—yet be bold!
Traveling quickly, the brisk pace advances along
Thinking this morning hike, nothing can go wrong
Turning a corner, approaching a different place
Seeing a fork coming up and slowing the pace
Searching the mysterious routes of twin solitary trails
Feeling confidence slipping, suspense tips the scales
Deciding to journey down the unfamiliar path on the right
Adjusting the trip’s rhythm, accepting challenges in sight
Moving along another route, sometimes part of life
Aligning conflicting thoughts, without further strife
Finishing this satisfying walk, never feeling ready to fail
Realizing life’s unique treks, resemble being on this trail
