Thanksgiving
November 25, 2011
He was all alone
With no friends to talk to him
A man came to eat
Share his hospitality
To affirm his worth to God
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He was all alone
Rejected by all his peers
Seen as an outcast
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He was all alone
Searching for someone to care
To really see him
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He was all alone
Unnoticed by his neighbors
Someone knew his name
This moment tells the story
Love in the ordinary
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It was a thanksgiving day
A day Zacchaeus was seen
Affirmed as a man of worth
Loved just like he was
© Terry S. Smith
Thanksgiving 2011
This poem is based on the historical realities of the life of a tax collector living in a Jewish community. Tax collectors were viewed as “the enemy”. To read more about Zacchaeus’ story click here.
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Thankful with all my heart
November 25, 2010
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What I seek with all my heart
Is what will control my life
I will decide what that is
What matters most
Relationship wins
What do I hide in my heart
Be aware of this
Secrets will rule under stress
The light of life brings healing
I will hide your words
At the center of my life
They are words of love and hope
Demonstrated well
By one compassionate life
Full of grace and forgiveness
No one can compare
I’ll meditate on what’s true
It is hidden to be found
Only those wanting
To find out the real thing
Will recognize God’s presence
I’ll open my eyes
Look carefully at what’s true
Decide to follow
A simple life speaks
His words are my treasured gifts
They breathe life in me
I memorize them
They are written on my heart
Unleash imaginations
Reveal the real world
When I examine His life
My soul rises to the joy
His teaching practiced
Has given me wings of joy
Soaring over circumstance
Of daily drama
Given by generations
Handed down through the darkness
A fish out of water
A bird put under water
Will soon die quickly
Water for the fish
Open air is for the birds
God’s word is for man
When out of their element
All will have trouble breathing
And will surely die
I have learned the joy
When I practice His teaching
I am captured by His love
I’m close to His heart
He came to me in despair
His story delights my soul
I run in my heart
My body is breaking down
My life is renewed
Internally I seek Him
The morning brings me great joy
His guidelines are giving life
In trust I seek to obey
I discover mystery
When I act on truth
I experience my God
As my friend and companion
When I let his words run deep
Meditate and act
An intimate connection
Takes place in the human soul
When I accept forgiveness
From my Creator
I love His guidelines
They have taken the load off
Today I run after them
They’ve set my heart free
To live in a present joy
© Terry S. Smith
November 25, 2010
Reflections written after meditating on parts of Psalm 119. To live in joy one must train on all three levels of personality – head, heart, and gut.
The body is a beautiful instrument of God, and we must practice the fundamental guidelines to discover the sound of joy that lives in the soul.
Because He loved me on the dark side of my soul, I am compelled by His love to seek to practice obeying and living in His presence each day.
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