Thursday, March 21, 2013

Failure


Do you know my husband? If you don't, he's a person worth knowing :).



Almost twelve years ago he wrote a poem that recently resurfaced for us. First, let me say that Zion is not a poet. It was a school project he did when he was knee-deep in a very hard season. In fact, it was at the end of his senior year - a year in which an illusive sickness had limited him to attending something like only 20 days of his entire senior year. Failure seemed to want to take him down at every turn.

Although he hasn't written poetry since, something special happened when he wrote this one. It's worth sharing because we've all been face to face with the giant of failure and some of us may even be fighting against it with all we have right now.

Be encouraged my friend. You're not alone.


The Ember by Zion Spencer
May 23, 2001

Failure is like the ash
surrounding ember's glow,
The prudent one will keep in mind
That which does not show.

How many fail to recognize
the fire ablaze within,
Some will even stoop to say,
"It will never shine again".

The ashes only share a side
of the ember's tale,
One musn't assume by them
The ember's doomed to fail.

The point at which it's overcome
and the ember does not return:
When it succubms to the ashes,
Thus ceasing to burn.

So many choose retrospect
pond'ring the light & warmth it could give,
Stuck on the ember's past,
The memories they try to relive.

Determination ignites!
Persistence is a ful.
Combustion's going to come,
When one makes these his rule.

Failure is not final
for a moment it will last,
Look adversity in the eye,
Then choose to press on past!

Friday, March 1, 2013

A Thankful Heart

I just read a blog post that spoke to me. It was simple - so simple. It was a list of what she is thankful for in pictures.


(Note - this picture is just thrown in because I love lattes. That's all.)

Sometimes don't you get tired of the how-to blog posts? Even if they're cloaked in transparency and humility, they can wear me down at times. Isn't it odd? Normally I really like those kinds of posts and I certainly do them myself so that really isn't meant as criticism as much as an observation. Sometimes you just need a break to let your spirit and soul be and rest.

So today I have no words of wisdom. No enlightened stories. No precious (to-me! LOL) Liam updates. Just my own list - inspired by Emily :). And because this is off the cuff - there is no stunning photography to accompany my list. Just a plain ole list y'all.

I am SO thankful for:

- A house with a working heater. I think of people who live in third-world or impoverished or inner city circumstances and I'm grateful.

- My espresso machine. Caleb and Chloe got us a refurbished espresso machine a few Christmases ago and now that latte is something I cherish every single day. There's just something about a special drink celebrating the accomplishment of getting to nap time another day. Note: I didn't make the latte above! No surprise there though! However, I do have a bit of desire stirring in me at the mere sight of such a huge glorious beautiful latte :).

- The fact that my brunette hair color has faded to a color that I really really like as opposed to just generally feeling good about it.

- That God meets me when my fingers are typing.

- Celebrating Zion's thirtieth birthday. It is a meaning milestone for him and it's so cool to see him arriving at this new season wish strength. I'm excited for what he's on the brink of.

- I am thankful in advance for the flourless chocolate cake I'll be eating tomorrow :)

- The new Hillsong United CD. Get this - it's called Zion and it was released ON Zion's thirtieth birthday! Wow! And - it is SO GOOD. Get it.

- My dear friend who's journey to becoming a mama was longer than she wanted it to be and is now pregnant with twins....a boy and a girl! Such joy.

- My parents and Zion's parents are such a big part of our lives.

- Mr. Liam Spencer has started stretching his afternoon nap!!!!!!!!!!! GLORY BE!!!!!!!!!! He's starting to wake up happy instead of a miserable because he's had enough sleep. Praises!

- The fact that I broke through the barrier and worked out this morning...for the first time in a loooooong time. Feels good.

- Our friends who truly care about us.

- Zion allowing me to sleep with the fan on at night - even in the winter - so that I can be under the covers but not sweltering. We're going on eight years of this people! He's tried to dispute it a few times but has thankfully given in :)

- The fact that today is Friday - and thus - the weekend stretches out like a blank sheet of paper. It's going to be a good one!

I'm sure your thankful list could go on just like mine. Mmmmmm it's so good to forget the to-do list and just be thankful. I hope your weekend rocks! Happy Friday!!!