Happy How-oween

"A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God . . . if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough." 1 Timothy 6:6 (Msg)

for my little girl, dress up has always been an adventure
stepping out on a make believe journey
fingers pinch and knuckles turn white as
possibilities swim from the rustling cloth
her little toes curl as she steps into the role
hips sway as she wriggles into her new identity
arms slip into sleeves as if reaching for an unwrapped gift
the costume ship carries her to far off lands
with magical forests, talking trees, and songs to sing
when the outfit is complete her chin rises a bit
her walk ages to a graceful stride
the living room is a backdrop painted
as she parades to the rhythms in her character's mind
new broadway hits are written and performed on the spot
for a while, she will not even answer to her own name
But at the end of the day
she snuggles back under her animal blanket
pulls "pinky" her pink elephant under her chin
her breaths get deeper and those big eyes retire for the night
And You and I see her and love her for who she really is
a gift from You, a one of a kind character
She too will be an adventure,
as I watch her transform from my pink-cheeked little imp
to a woman who walks with You to the rhythms in her heart
thank You for these days of shoes that are too big and dresses too long
one day she will know that no princess or heroine's costume
could compare to the "rich simplicity" and being herself before You
the true Hero of all of our adventures

Finding Your Center

"All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow thier own plants." John W. Gardner, Educational Philosopher

"Let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't . . .if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. Love from the center of who you are." Romans 12: 5-10 (Msg)

Nine weeks to resurrect a poet's dream
crisp piles of paper stapled and stacked
became moments of beauty, fantasy, and laughter
rehearsals in a bare wooden box
grew into a forest with dusk and dawn
puzzling language danced off the pages
when they stepped onto the stage
chicken wire and sticky scraps of yesterday's headlines
were sculpted into a waterfall
sewing machines, hot glue, hammers, drills
were easels for their artist eyes and hearts
regal poise crept into their walks week by week
You and I knew they were always royalty
diguised in t-shirts, jeans, sneakers, and a little self doubt
As the ultimate Director of all of us
I often wonder how we change Your countenance as they have mine
Do You sigh, laugh, wince, and grin at our antics?
Just before curtain call, Puck says he will "restore amends"
but You and I both know there is only One who can truly restore
thank You for teaching me to love them
from the center of who I am
when a mid-fall play blossomed into
a midsummer night's dream