One little Word

Each year I choose one little word to focus on and grow with. This year my word is celebrate. I belong to a workshop with Ali Edwards, and she and her team give monthly prompts to assist in the personal growth through the chosen word. The assignment for March was by Liz Morgan Lamoureux, to imagine a conversation with your word, and turn it into a poem.

Poem With My Word

What Are We Celebrating Today?

By Melissa Pierce

Celebrate approaches me, skipping and singing, holding a cluster of balloons as they soar in the breeze.  “How are you today?  What are we celebrating?”

“I don’t feel much like celebrating today.  The doctor gave me bad news.”

Celebrate barely blinks an eye and replies, “Well then, let’s turn to the Good News!”

The balloons vanish, and before me appears The Good Book. Celebrate flips it open, and the words leap off the page.

Celebrate reads, “ ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, and whoever believes in Him, shall have everlasting Life. ‘  Now that is something to celebrate!” (John 3:16)

I smirk and reply.  “My heart is burdened with fear, and celebrating just seems impossible.”

Celebrate flips through the pages and reads again, “ ‘Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ So there you have it!” Celebrate announces,  “Let’s sing to the Heavens!” (Isaiah 41:10)

“My mind is too busy, contemplating the ‘what ifs’. So I just can not celebrate today.” As a tear rolls down my face.

“Well that is just silly,” chuckles Celebrate, as he turns the pages once again.  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” He flips the pages and says.  “Worrying just steals your joy.  Listen here,” as he continues to read from the Holy Bible.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Matthew 6-34, Philippians 4:6-7)

Celebrate holds my hand, and I slowly look up.  “Let’s pray together.”

“What can I pray for?” I sheepishly ask.  “I don’t even know where to begin.”

“That is no problem at all,” Celebrate answers. “Likewise the Sprit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26) “ So you see,” Celebrate explains.  “God can hear your heart, so he knows what you need.” The pages move swiftly before stopping, and the reading continues. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

“That sounds very encouraging,” I say and begin to brighten. But quickly scowl with concern.  “I have seen others pray for healing, but they were not healed.  How can that be explained?”

Celebrate pauses and looks into my eyes.  “It is true that God allows pain and hardships in this broken world.  It says so right here,” and the pages again, ruffle in a wind. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The pages turn and Celebrate continues to read.  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should as God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. (James 1:2-8)

I sat silently, contemplating all that Celebrate has said. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Together we sit silently and ponder.

“Oh Mighty and powerful Lord, hear my heart,.” I began to pray.  Celebrate held my hands and together we bowed our heads.

“Lord, thank you for your son Jesus, as my Lord and living savior.  Thank you for the Holy Spirit, as a helper that lives within me.  My body, mind, heart and soul are under attack, and I pray for healing and protection that only You can provide.  You bore my sins and afflictions on that cross and have the power to make me well.  I give it to you and your will.  Protect my mind from the darkness, and protect my heart from doubt.  I pray, Lord, to suffer well.  I trust in you, a God of faithful promises.  I pray that when others look to me, they see you with my light. You are sufficient for me.  I pray that You be the source of my peace and my joy, and I not rely on my circumstances.”

I paused, as the presence of God took over. My breathing was at ease and my tears dried. “In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”

My eyes open.  “Let’s celebrate!” I say.  “God is Good always!”

Celebrate grins and light radiates from us both.  The Big Book fades, and each holding a cluster of balloons, we skip off into the sunset.