Lenten Writing Project Reboot 2020! Writers' Reflections in the Wilderness of Lent
Words of Faith
Spirit to Spirit Writing Project
The word Lentcomes from an old English word meaning lengthening of days. In Christianity, it refers to the time before Easter, traditionally observed through repentance and learning. It's a season to be intentional about changing and growing. Some people give up items to create space and time for new life and habits to grow. Instead of giving something up, I invite you to try to commit to answering these writing prompts each of the 40 days of Lent. The discipline it takes to set aside time each day to reflect and write about God and your relationship with spirituality is a journey that you will emerge from with a renewed spirit. Every writer has their own special voice to add to this project, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists, or through comments, prayer, and encouragement.
How do I participate? Each day, a writing prompt will be posted. A prompt is a question or statement that is meant to inspire your thoughts in whatever genre you feel moved to write. Post your reflections as a comment under each day's prompt (for further instructions, see 'How To Post' on the right side of the page). It is up to you if you write, read, or pray along with us each of the 40 days of Lent or just drop in from time to time when the spirit moves you to participate. Writing regularly is a discipline that many writers struggle with and this is a way to involve that discipline as a Lenten practice. Through writing and leaving encouraging words for others in this project, we become a supportive spiritual writing community
Monday, March 4, 2013
Listen Up!
Describe a time in your life when you felt that you were not listened to and/or taken seriously. Write about how this disenfranchising experience can or did lead to helping someone else.
Turning 21 brings many an opportunity for personal growth. 1966 ‘twas that year for me to claim my majority, In ways personal, in ways public, included a marital oath. Finishing my junior year at Pacific Lutheran University.
You see, there was this cute, brown-eyed nursing student Whose plot to get my attention had succeeded at Christmas. Spring 1967, sprung for us in ways stimulating, some prudent. Her solid Swedish lineage a real benefit I would never dismiss.
She, an older junior, me a first-time senior, I’d do another, In quiet conversation, to her my heart’s perception I revealed. “You, my dear, are the one woman in my world, no fuss, no bother!” “I’m honored indeed. We’ve some work to do that’s not congealed.”
Dating proceeded with its amazing rhythm, delightful curves. Campus talk proclaimed loudly, “Their truly an item.” Hands held, midnight air-kisses, many emotional dips, swerves, Summer came without a flower, only a lovely bud on the stem.
Often, the pledge was made, “I’m ready. Will you be my wife?” Brown eyes lowered, hands firmly held, “I can date but not yet.” August arrived, Portland’s version of heat, humidity to cut with a knife. We made countless trips from Hillsboro to Portland our love to vet.
Sitting in my stuffy car, at the end of another day of bliss, “I’ve an old question that needs to have a final answer.” I turned my Norwegian blues upon my fair, lovely Swedish miss. “This time I must warn you, ‘twill be the last, don’t hesitate or demur.”
“Will you be my wife?” stated calmly, without rancor or pain. Her face gazed with a glow that only love and respect could bring. “I was hoping you’d ask me one more time, waiting makes me insane.” The car suddenly changed its ambience, two hearts ready to sing.
The bud of romance came to full bloom that day. My pastoral counsel to countless couples found its root. Spirit will guide your relationship every step of the way. Matrimony, the Ph.D. of intimacy, God’s love at its foot.
As a father As a manager As a pastor As a husband As a life guard As a Sr Patrol leader As a Pack Leader My observation is that People listen and don't People follow and wander People want to belong and to not People want to test you and themselves And even when it's personal - it's not. And the greatest power is not rank or position it is still, after all these years Love.
I have not been listened to Or taken seriously Because I was a “dumb blonde” Because I was a “fire-y readhead” Because I was perky Because I seemed to young Because I seemed too old Because I seemed to funny Because I seemed to bitter Because I was a feminist Because I was a stay-at-home Mom Because I was self-effacing Because I was too intense Because I was considered too naïve People will always find a reason not to listen to you What reasons do you find to not listen to others? They are all illusions God gave each one of us a voice For a reason.
Bud to Blossom
ReplyDeleteTurning 21 brings many an opportunity for personal growth.
1966 ‘twas that year for me to claim my majority,
In ways personal, in ways public, included a marital oath.
Finishing my junior year at Pacific Lutheran University.
You see, there was this cute, brown-eyed nursing student
Whose plot to get my attention had succeeded at Christmas.
Spring 1967, sprung for us in ways stimulating, some prudent.
Her solid Swedish lineage a real benefit I would never dismiss.
She, an older junior, me a first-time senior, I’d do another,
In quiet conversation, to her my heart’s perception I revealed.
“You, my dear, are the one woman in my world, no fuss, no bother!”
“I’m honored indeed. We’ve some work to do that’s not congealed.”
Dating proceeded with its amazing rhythm, delightful curves.
Campus talk proclaimed loudly, “Their truly an item.”
Hands held, midnight air-kisses, many emotional dips, swerves,
Summer came without a flower, only a lovely bud on the stem.
Often, the pledge was made, “I’m ready. Will you be my wife?”
Brown eyes lowered, hands firmly held, “I can date but not yet.”
August arrived, Portland’s version of heat, humidity to cut with a knife.
We made countless trips from Hillsboro to Portland our love to vet.
Sitting in my stuffy car, at the end of another day of bliss,
“I’ve an old question that needs to have a final answer.”
I turned my Norwegian blues upon my fair, lovely Swedish miss.
“This time I must warn you, ‘twill be the last, don’t hesitate or demur.”
“Will you be my wife?” stated calmly, without rancor or pain.
Her face gazed with a glow that only love and respect could bring.
“I was hoping you’d ask me one more time, waiting makes me insane.”
The car suddenly changed its ambience, two hearts ready to sing.
The bud of romance came to full bloom that day.
My pastoral counsel to countless couples found its root.
Spirit will guide your relationship every step of the way.
Matrimony, the Ph.D. of intimacy, God’s love at its foot.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
4 March 2013
Love it!
Deletefrom Marlene
Power
ReplyDeleteAs a father
As a manager
As a pastor
As a husband
As a life guard
As a Sr Patrol leader
As a Pack Leader
My observation is that
People listen and don't
People follow and wander
People want to belong and to not
People want to test you and themselves
And even when it's personal -
it's not.
And the greatest power
is not rank or position
it is still,
after all these years
Love.
embrace the paradox: love - apathy
Deletewell put
ronaldo
Hear! Hear!
ReplyDeletefrom Marlene
Listening
ReplyDeleteI have not been listened to
Or taken seriously
Because I was a “dumb blonde”
Because I was a “fire-y readhead”
Because I was perky
Because I seemed to young
Because I seemed too old
Because I seemed to funny
Because I seemed to bitter
Because I was a feminist
Because I was a stay-at-home Mom
Because I was self-effacing
Because I was too intense
Because I was considered too naïve
People will always find a reason not to listen to you
What reasons do you find to not listen to others? They are all illusions
God gave each one of us a voice
For a reason.
your voice is powerful, persuasive, real
Deletethanks
a brother in Spirit
ronaldo
I yearn to be heard,
ReplyDeleteTo be known and understood.
I cry! Hear my prayer!
Sometimes simple words are so profound.
ReplyDelete