An Eternal Perspective

“And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha,

you are worried and troubled about many things. But one

thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part,

which will not be taken away from her.’”

{Luke 10:41-42}

This poem is based on Luke 10:38-42, which tells the story of Mary and Martha and their reactions toward Jesus’ unexpected visit to their home. It is written from the perspective of Martha and describes what she may have been thinking and feeling during this encounter. I constantly find myself identifying with Martha in this story, and I can almost hear Christ’s words to her directed to me. Perhaps you will feel the same way.

‘Twas a usual day in the village for me—

Chores piled high as the eye could see.

I’d made up my list of the things to be done

And happily checked them off one by one.

First do the dishes, then sweep up the floor,

Make sure everything looks nice by the door;

Then put away dishes, and if there is time,

Scrub at the windows and walls ‘til they shine.

They day kept on going with so much to do—

My sister, Mary, began helping me, too.

Laughing and talking as we completed each chore,

We cared not a bit that there was always one more.

I walked out the door—did our house look its best?

And did it—at least—compare with the rest?

But as I was looking, a new sight I did see:

A figure was walking, and he was coming toward me!

I halted my work on our humble abode

And squinted my eyes to see down the road.

Who was this stranger, and why had he come

When my chores were unfinished, my work not yet done?

My heart sank at this thought, for my house was in shreds—

I’d not even begun to make all the beds!

But sure as the sun had arisen that day,

This strange sort of man was walking my way.

And so I approached him—and once I’d begun,

I knew in a moment who it was that had come.

Jesus of Nazareth, our good Teacher and Friend.

What could I do but a kind welcome extend?

I greed Him, then turned my eyes to the floor.

Oh, what will He think when I open the door?

Still ashamed of my house, I let Him recline

And prepared food for supper so we three could dine.

I knew Jesus needed the best I could make;

I was already tired and wanted a break.

But this turned to anger, for what I saw next

Made my heart troubled and my weary mind vexed.

For while I was busy making food for our guest,

Mary, my sister, had decided to rest.

She hung on Christ’s words and sat by His feet,

And that’s when I began the Master to entreat.

“Do you not care that I’m left here alone

To work and to serve and to clean up our home

While my sister, Mary, sits and listens to you?

Does she not know there is much work to do?”

I thought sure He’d agree that Mary was wrong,

That she should’ve been helping me cook all along.

But instead He directed His gaze up to me,

And in love He spoke to me softly and gently:

“You’re worried and troubled with so much to do,

Yet I’ve only desired to spend time with you.

What Mary has chosen will endure past this day—

Her time spent with Me won’t be taken away.”

By Faith

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was 

called to go out to a place that he was to 

receive as an inheritance. And he went out, 

not knowing where he was going."

{Hebrews 11:8}

I discovered this poem yesterday as I was flipping through my journal. I wrote it while I was on Tour with the University of Northwestern-St. Paul Symphonic Band in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on January 25, 2014. In it, I reflect on how Abraham showed His trust in the Lord by following Him even though he did not know where he was going. When I wrote this, I felt somewhat like Abraham because the last time I had been in Sioux Falls was with my family about a month before I started college. It was such a blessing to see how God had redeemed my fear to follow His leading a year-and-a-half earlier by letting me return to the exact same place--and this time be with people who only a year-and-a-half ago were strangers but had become my family in Christ.

"He believed in faith," knowing it was true--
That what God had promised He also would do.
Though his wife was old, he as good as dead,
He chose to trust in God's promise instead.

And God came through and gave him a son--
Isaac, his seed, the promised one.
Yet these words were written not for him but for us
That we may learn in His Name to trust.

Being here in Sioux Falls is a sign of Your grace
As I think back two years and my steps I retrace.
Last I was here, I was so scared to begin
The unknown journey called college You'd have me walk in.

I was scared and resentful--the pain was too much
Until I'd look up and feel my Savior's soft touch.
No evil befell me; You were with me always
That I'd learn to trust in You all of my days.

You've taught me to love, to lead, and to serve;
You've blessed me with friends that I never deserved.
Your promise is real; Your faithfulness true;
And I ask myself, "Why do I ever doubt you?"

You've brought me this far--can I not trust You now
To complete the good work You began in me somehow?
All I ask's that my reflect the glory of You
That all who see me may know that this saying is true:

"You are Alpha, Omega--Beginning and End,
You're the Lord of Creation whose praise will not end."
Our hearts now rejoice and our Savior we praise
And make known His glory all of our days.

Come and Hear what the Lord has Done for My Soul

“Come and hear, all you who fear God,

And I will declare what He has done for my soul.”

{Psalm 66:16}

I wrote this poem on October 12, 2013. It was a beautiful fall morning, and I had my journal out as usual. On this particular morning, I sensed that I was about to write a poem to the Lord—something I had not done in quite some time. It turned out to be a prayer of thankfulness in which I recounted what God had done in my life up to that point, as well as a hymn of praise to Him.

You number my hairs, You know my frame;

I’m an unworthy sinner, yet You know me by name.

I run away often—at best I’m a sheep,

Yet You’ve given promises You’ve sworn that You’ll keep.

 I did not deserve Your love at the first,

Nor did I know that for You did I thirst.

I thought I was good and merited Your favor,

Yet did not know it was You I should savor.

A day there was not, far as I can recall,

That I did not know who You were at all.

My heart was so frail, yet I thought I was strong;

It was You who was shaping my heart all along.

You called me to be baptized at just ten years old—

I know it was You who made me so bold.

I was thrilled to be Yours—a child of the King—

But had not an idea it would cost everything.

And as I grew older, I learned: From the start,

You desired that I love You with all of my heart.

What did this mean? That I could not say;

But I knew, as Your child, that I should obey.

I tried reading my Bible and learning to pray.

Why it felt like a drag, I never could say.

But You blessed me with friends in love with You, Lord;

It was clear from their lives it was You they adored.

Through high school You grew me—so faithful were You.

I learned how to love and to lead others, too.

Yet I held oh so tightly the gifts You bestowed

And thought that a good Christian life I was owed.

Upon starting college, my heart filled with pain.

My life felt so stormy, my days filled with rain.

I prayed that the storms would ease or subside;

I felt broken, alone, and sorrowful inside.

As the long days wore on, You showed me Your grace,

When I felt overwhelmed, I’d look up, see Your face

And know You are with me, whatever befall

And that you are the Lord, the Ruler of all.

I was blessed by Your people who now are my friends;

It seems to me that Your grace never ends!

While Band was a struggle for much of last year,

It’s now a big reason I love being here!

You are growing and shaping me—using me, too,

And I pray that my life may reflect more of You.

You’re the Author and Perfecter, Beginning and End,

Good Shepherd and King, yet Servant and Friend.

You are Life, You are Breath, You embody the Light;

You enable us to walk by faith, not by sight.

Your grace is abundant, Your faithfulness true,

And You call us to build our lives around You.

You never forsake us; You call us Your own;

We willingly bow down before Your throne

And keep calling others to join in the throng

Of those in eternity who will sing out Your song:

“Blessing, glory, honor, and power be

To the Lord of all eternity.

To the One who redeemed us—His name we will praise

And sing to our Savior all of our days.”

Christ: The Hope of the World

I wrote this poem this year on Easter Sunday to share with my family during our celebration. My family and I had been praying that God would give us an opportunity to share the hope of Christ with them while they were at our house, and this poem was the answer to that prayer. God is so good!

Christ is risen today—we’re told this is true

For those in the Church, this news is not new.

We know Jesus suffered—on a cross He did die

But still we must stop and ask ourselves, “Why?”

Why would God die on a cross made of wood

When the people on earth are, more or less, good?

Could not their good works suffice for their sin

And allow them the pearly gates to enter in?

Well, our story begins at the beginning of time

Before the Earth was formed or your ancestors or mine.

God existed alone—His glory shone bright

Yet He decided to create—a grand story He did write.

He began with two people—Adam and Eve by name.
He created and loved them, and they loved Him the same.

He promised them life if they’d walk in His ways

And lovingly trust in His Word and obey.

But these two decided God wasn’t their King;

They rebelled against God and this changed everything.

Though we were not there, these two are our head—

Instead of union with God, they chose sin instead.

God cursed Adam and Eve and all of mankind

Yet He promised redemption would come through their line.

God’s story was broken yet His plan would prevail,

For He promised another—One who would not fail.

As time carried on, man’s sin covered the earth

We exchanged the glory of God for our sick, twisted mirth.

Our hearts bent on evil, we forgot who was Lord

And the works of our hands and our sin we adored.

Fast forward some time—there was one righteous man

Who still followed the Lord and believed in His plan.

God told him the earth would be destroyed with rain

To wipe out the haughty, the lustful and vain.

This man Noah built an ark as God said to do

And all flesh was destroyed but Noah and a few.

God had redeemed them; the rainbow told them He would

Never again destroy all flesh—this showed He was good.

Little time passed before we forgot God again.

In seeking our glory, we showed the depth of our sin.

But God called an old man named Abraham to go;

He knew not where he went, but this God would show.

God promised him descendants—as many as the sand

What God was doing Abraham did not understand.

But he believed God’s Word and God did what He said

We see here again that by faith he was led.

Then God called out a people—Israel by name

They weren’t numerous or righteous, yet He loved them the same.

He delivered them from slavery and called them His own—

No greater God had any nation ever known.

God gave them His Law and called them to obey

Not to earn their standing, but so they could say

That the Lord had redeemed them and He was their King

And they were willing to serve Him with everything.

Yet the Israelites failed once again to uphold

All God asked them to do and so could not lay hold

Of the goodness He’d promised to give to His own;

They became slaves instead of worshipping at His throne.

So God sent them prophets who called them back to their King,

To stop living in sin and His praises to sing.

But they loved sin more than God, sought their glory and fame

Instead of serving the One who had called them by name.

So they sacrificed animals to pay the price for their sin

Cows, sheep and goats killed and burned in their skin

As a reminder of the depth of the wickedness of man—

But who could pay this great price? It seems no one can.

“Repent! Repent! For the Lord is at hand

He will judge you for sin and destroy this land

If you don’t turn from your ways and lift your hearts above

To Him who called you His own and wrapped you in love.”

This message the prophets proclaimed day by day

Yet God’s people refused to love Him and obey.

They faithless remained, still rebelled and loved sin

But had not an idea who would now enter in…

Christ Jesus by name—the Great Son of God

Came to earth, born in a stable, given a bed of sod.

He was holy and righteous and soon we would see

Through his compassion and love that the Redeemer was He.

He’d bring relief to God’s people and establish His reign

Vindicate their enemies and eradicate all pain.

With an iron fist, he would rule and be king,

Destroy all their enemies and restore everything!

Well—this was the thought that prevailed at the time

The Jews were all certain things now would be fine.

But what would come next they’d never surmise,

For Christ lived a great life but then—He died.

Some rejoiced in His death for their power was restored;

Others mourned as they watched the last breath of their Lord.

All hope had been lost; the Chosen One was now dead.

So much for all that the prophets had said!

But wait! It’s not over; the story goes on

For Christ stayed not dead. Fast forward to dawn

Of Sunday morning—three days after He died

The tomb was empty and Christ was alive!

So what did this mean? God’s people now asked.

`Twas all part of God’s story that for a time had been masked.

Christ paid the price so that people would live

He was crucified and raised so new life He could give.

 Remember God’s promise to Adam and Eve?

Another would come upon whom they’d believe.

He’d crush Satan forever and pay for their sin

So we’d live with God and be one with Him.

Then think of Noah—how God promised to save!

He did not abandon sinful man to the grave.

He rescued mankind through the Jesus the Christ,

And offered to all the gift of new life.

Now look back to Abraham, how God promised to give him

Descendants as the sand on the seashore; and then

Think of animal sacrifices that never sufficed

To pay for our sins and restore us to life.

The prophets proclaimed God would send one someday

Who would atone for man’s sin and who would obey

All God required, and would brutally die

So undeserving sinners could again be brought nigh.

That brings us to the reason we can celebrate this day,

Resurrection Sunday, in such a glorious way.

Nothing short of a miracle—for those who trust Christ

Can be raised from the dead and walk in newness of life.

There is nothing we did to deserve such great grace;

Our God did it all—for the whole human race.

He only desires that we repent and believe

And the riches of His grace in the Savior receive.

There is good news and bad news—for like Noah at the flood

Those not trusting in Christ cannot claim they are good.

They’ll be destroyed at the end—none can stand before the Throne

And claim they are worthy of heaven on their own.

But those who believe Jesus Christ took our place

And suffered our death and crowned us with grace

Will see life after death beyond what we could dream—

Yes, truly, this news is as good as it seems!

We were made in God’s image and new life He gives.

He is the source of the life that we live.

Our life’s in His hands; we are not our own

And He calls us to surrender and bow at His throne.

So this is our prayer as we celebrate this day.

Food and family are great; but this is what we pray:

May you know Christ right now and repent of your sin

So you may live joyfully and abundantly here and in heaven.

Christ is our Hope—what we proclaim now is true;

To repent and believe is all God asks you to do.

God will open your eyes and make you anew

He wants you to return, for He died to save you!

We pray on this Easter may your hearts be restored

May you look unto Christ and call Him your Lord.

May the One who made you redeem you and call you His own

That one day we may gather again before His throne,

And say, “Blessing, glory, and power be

To our Savior and the Lord of eternity

To the One who redeemed us, His name we will praise

And sing to our Savior all of our days.”

Philippians 2:5-11

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Clay in the Hands of the Potter

I chose this name for my poetry blog because I love the imagery in Scripture of God as the Potter and us as His pottery. We are marred and broken because of our sin, and our Potter is constantly at the work of making us whole again so that we may reflect His glory. We can take joy and comfort in knowing that if we belong to Christ, we are in the Father's hands, and He is shaping and fashioning us to make us make us more like Jesus. Any glimpse of beauty in us is merely a reflection of the beauty of Christ. Isaiah writes, 

“But now, O LORD, You are our Father; 

we are the clay, and You are our potter; 

and all we are the work of Your hand.”

{Isaiah 64:8}

 It is my hope and prayer that my poetry would draw you nearer to the One who made you and loves you and who has been about the work of redemption from the dawn of time. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever! Amen.

Your grace is sufficient--I know this is true.

And to think--You just ask me to simply trust You.

You're the Lord of Creation who made all I see,

My Redeemer and the God of eternity.

You're the One who made Adam and then his wife, Eve;

They were given new life and called to believe.

And lo, when they doubted, Your grace held them still--

This story of redemption Scripture's pages now fill.

You came on a mission to love, save the lost,

Yet our sinful rebellion drove Christ to the cross.

Broken and marred--though once vessels of clay,

We were shattered and ugly, and that's how we'd stay...

Had not you, Lord, stepped in and ransomed Your own--

The Potter, the King, on Your heavenly throne.

Our souls were so broken; we filled with despair

And that's where we'd all be if You'd left us there.

But You didn't--You suffered and died in our place!

You gave us new life, and You crowned us with grace.

Our once-broken vessels were refined in the fire

To sing of Your praises and lift Your name higher

And call other vessels their Potter to know;

To have hearts filled with joy and through their lives show

How great is the Potter--how faithful and true

And to proclaim to the peoples, "He died to save you!"

Lord, this is my prayer and the cry of my heart:

I'm as unworthy of grace as I was at the start.

You have filled me with joy and made me anew--

What more can I do but surrender to You?

I need You so deeply each day that I live,

And I long to be poured out and give as You give.

My life's not my own; I am called by Your name.

My heart now is yours--I can't be the same!

Though I'm still just a vessel, I rejoice in this role.
I rejoice in my weakness, for my God I extol.

You're my Joy and my Life--and for all that You do,

May my heart never cease to sing praises to You.