I didn’t grow up in a traditional church–in fact, I’ve probably “grown up” in more denominations than I can fit on both hands.  Perks of being part of a ministry family!  I consider it a blessing, because I was exposed to the many different ways people practice Christianity, giving me a better sense of unity as I got older.

One of the things I’ve since come to appreciate about some churches is the liturgy and their adherence to traditional practices, such as the church calendar.  There’s a certain beauty in the body of believers having the shared experience of readings or well-known hymns.  And to celebrate Holy Days together–well, that’s something we can all share, regardless of background.

The season of Lent is upon us, which points towards Easter Sunday.  Christians from many denominations will choose to abstain from food or other things over the course of the next several weeks leading up to Holy Week.  The idea is to turn physical longings for food into spiritual cravings for a Savior each time hunger hits.

Nine years ago, I was inspired to wake up early and “give up” a few extra minutes of sleep each day and use the time to write poetry.  (The idea that I used to consider it a sacrifice is somewhat laughable now, considering I regularly wake up before dawn with crying children.)  But the practice was spiritually very fruitful, and I’ve since kept it up each season of Lent and Advent, to varying degrees of completion.

Advent 2022 was the first time I’ve shared any of these projects other than a poem here and there, and I received lots of positive feedback from people.  Since the practice originally began with Lent, I wanted to include this season of poetry as well.

So as always, it is my prayer that my words help shed light into someone else’s darkness and draw them closer to God.

Red Lights | Day 1
Sometimes the red lights
Turn at just the right time
A moment for self-reflection
While the wheels sit idly
Space to remember why I’m driving
In the first place
Too often I speed right on by
Those street signs and directions
Without a second thought
And I miss out on the mountain view
Out my windshield
Sometimes the red lights
Are more than traffic control
And are simply, a blessing in disguise

Ginger | Day 2
How complex is the ginger root
Its outward form so unexpected
And surprising
Unassuming and crooked,
It appears almost unsavory
As if not meant for any life
Above ground
But to reach its interior
Is even more novel
The warmest of colors
To match a flavor so welcoming
It’s like hearing a friend’s voice
After many years apart
And the pleasant sting
Of too much good thing
Adds just enough temperance
To make the next time
Just as charming

The Language of Love | Day 3
It’s the gentle stroke of a baby’s head
In the midst of sweet dreaming

It’s the tender word to a tear-filled face
That promises forgiveness

It’s the labor of a hundred hours
To fix what was broken

It’s the quiet evening watching sunsets
While the whole world holds its breath

It’s the gift of sacrifice by gruesome death
Too perfect to ignore

All part of the same story
Said many times
Of when love spoke through the darkness
To us

Backyard | Day 4
I once heard it said
That often people from Arizona
Have never been to the Grand Canyon
Because it’s in their own backyard
And gets taken for granted
Just like we can open our homes
To strangers and acquaintances
But forget hospitality to our family
And at the drop of a hat
Move overseas
Leaving behind fields ripe for harvest
Sometimes all it takes is an outsider
To remind us of the opportunities
Right before us

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