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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Weary (05/03/12)
I’m so darn tired and just plumb worn out,
That even in objection I can’t raise a shout.
My legs ache, ache to the centre of the bone,
Father, I wish You’d relent, call me home.

To lift my arms in praise is now just a chore,
The weariness goes deep to my very core,
I’ve had it, I submit, throw in the towel,
My guts a tightly twisted, knotted bowel.

Whatever happened to my cheer?
When did I become so full of fear?
When did depression creep on in?
When did faith’s vision get so dim?

I remember when once I stood against the flow,
I remember declaring Your Word for all to know.
I thought then Your calling was more than enough,
But I didn’t know the church could play so rough.

Dreams were shattered as the name calling began,
Self justifications were the songs that we all sang,
And Your Word that demands that we look at self,
Was far more comfortable left on a dusty shelf.

Whatever happened to refiner’s fire?
When did we lose our holy desire?
When did hearts become an excuse,
To live a life full of justified abuse?

It isn’t a life saved if it isn’t a life transformed,
Returned to the Father for Whom it was formed.
And many a preacher has been sent to the grave,
By the very same lives he only wanted to save.

Struggling with criticism can wear you right out,
Everything being questioned, brought into doubt.
So make sure at the very next meeting you attend,
Look the preacher in the eye, “Thank you, friend.”

Whatever happened to gratitude?
Christians are polite, not rude.
So thank the preacher one and all,
It isn’t easy to answer the call.
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This article has been read 969 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
pam Leitermann
05/10/12
Loved it very well written indeed!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/12/12
This is beautiful. I really like the message to remember to thank the pastor. My son is going to Seminary school. The time and money he has to put in before becoming ordained is huge, then they are on call 24/7. It is easy to become tired.
C D Swanson 
05/12/12
When we know who "you are" I would love to share this with my Pastor, who will LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

Great poem, meaninful and powerful. I enjoyed it and the topic was spot on.

Thank you.

God Bless,

Camille~
Cynthia Dawson
05/15/12
That was wonderful! As if you had stepped up to a window and seen a large part of the last three years of my life. I'm no expert on giving critiques, however, I do know when I can relate to a writing and when it touches my soul and this one sure did.
Laury Hubrich 
05/15/12
I've known many pastors who can relate to this. Good job and good reminder to thank and appreciate our pastors!
Joe Moreland
05/15/12
Hmmm...i think we are having technical difficulty with Faithwriters this week. This is my second attempt to comment on this article.

I really like this piece. It's a wonderful reminder to not take for granted those who give their lives in service to God and the rest of us. Aside from that, it is also, in my opinion, well contructed with a good rhythm and flow. Excellent job and thanks for sharing it with us!
Ada Nett
05/15/12
What a good topic to write about being weary. I am sure pastors live are filled with bone-tiredness you describe so well.
~Cathy~
Donna Wilcher
05/15/12
This is very insightful into the life of a pastor, but most of it could apply to any weary Christian as well.

My pastor has a saying that makes me chuckle..."Sheep bite". They sure do.

We send him on at least 2 missionary trips per year, and he gets a week off to go mountain climbing. He comes back on fire and ready to go again.

Thanks for sharing this.

Glynis Becker
05/15/12
A great reminder that we very often take for granted those that serve us so faithfully. Wonderful piece!
lynn gipson 
05/15/12
Great...great poem. I really liked this. cant tell you how many times I felt this way in the past. God Bless
Helen Carr
05/17/12
Owwww, another one that made me cry. Often I find poetry to be very flowery and almost cryptic. This is none of that! It's real life, "things we've all said at some point" kind of phrases that I know I can relate to. The line "I used to stand against the flow" which then talks about dreams being broken; ouch, raw nerve.

I'm not a big poetry writer, but I think you might have changed the rhythm/format of the rhyming pattern in the last stanza; I found that stopped the flow a little, but that's just a personal observation I thought I'd pass on.

Thanks for sharing so honestly. Great job.
Helen Carr
05/17/12
I take it back about the last stanza! I have no idea what I was reading; must have swapped some words around or something?!

Coffee time!!

Blessings, Helen