Clarity

                        Do I give the world a clear picture of You, God?

Or do I obscure,
cover,
even hide Your image
with my own flawed perceptions
of Your beauty and holiness?

© 2014 Lana Gray

Unemployed Words

The Unemployed

I call out for certain words

Trying to awaken my memory

To put words to work

Some words have been unemployed way too long

Rolling around in my mind

Standing in the unemployment line of my unconscious

Given free lodging

But lacking dignity of work and purpose

Finally, a job arises

Words employed

Dignity restored

The world expanded
Meaning declared

© 2014 Lana Gray

Which Side of the Street?

Sunny Side of the Street

This is my side of the street,

the area of town where I live in sunshine. 

The other side is dark and cloudy.

Most days I am satisfied in the familiar.

But then I hear the voice of discontent 

urging me to cross the border to the other side. 

Too much time is spent half asleep

over there,

in that dreary, sunless location.

When I finally awaken and

goodbyes are extended,

I re-enter my neighborhood -

the sunny side of the street.

© 2014 Lana Gray

Stretch

S-t-r-e-t-c-h 
into life!
© 2014 Lana Gray 

Hide 'N Seek

Hide ‘N Seek

She had always loved the game

and was a master at finding places to hide.

But today she was tired, exhausted.

She wanted to be found,

to give up,

to declare a truce,

to let herself be known,

to let herself be loved.

© 2014 Lana Gray

His Praise

His Praise

The verb “praise” in the Bible is synonymous to words like acclamation, exultation, and admiration. The prophet Habakkuk writes that God's praise "fills the earth” (Hab. 3:2) and one version even adds that His praise fills "every corner" of the earth. 

During years of battling depression, I used pen and paper to pour out my questions, my sadness, even my anger to God. Truthfully, the focus was mostly on me and my struggles, not on God. But a change occurred when I began to daily exult, admire, and acclaim Him.  As I praised Him as Mighty Conqueror, He emerged as that victorious warrior in my life. When I exulted Him as Sovereign Lord, he revealed Himself as wise ruler. And as I sang praise of Him being Compassionate Friend, He demonstrated Himself as one closer than a brother who is full of love and understanding.

My praise to Him did not (and does not) increase His reputation, raise His significance or change Him in any way. Praise changes ME, filling every corner of my heart and soul! So when I offer more descriptive words to highlight God's wonderful attributes, I am simply using what already belongs to Him – the vocabulary of highest praise!

His praise becomes my praise!

© 2014 Lana Gray