Poetry Friday and Madness Poetry

So I’m out of the Madness Poetry competition — I got knocked out in the second round. Thank you to everyone who voted for me and took the time to vote for others, as well! The poetry is still going strong, though, so head over today and vote for your favorite of the remaining matchups! https://madnesspoetry.com/matchups

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Today, my kids made a pun when they thought someone said, “soul-er” powered instead of “solar” powered. It stuck with me… so I penned this little poem. Happy Poetry Friday!

CHOOSE CAREFULLY 

by Donna Earnhardt

The things we say can form friendships

and help build confidence.

Or we can choose words

that make other’s laugh —

at somebody else’s expense.

Words can be lovely and gracious —

or they can be salty and soured.

Just know that the words

you choose to use

are always “soul-er” powered.

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ROUND TWO!

Okay — it’s here. Round two of Madness Poetry! My assigned word is plateau. 

There are 16 match-ups this time — and they are all hard choices.

You can find it my match-up HERE. 

 

MADNESS POETRY!

It’s here again, y’all, and I’m in the line up for this fabulous poetry competition!

If you want to spend some time reading some fun poetry matchups, check out my poem below (and my opponent’s), vote, and then check out the other poetical pairings!  —–

>>>>> MADNESS POETRY FIRST ROUND! <<<<<

I put it in a song…

My kids always ask what I want for Christmas. I give them the SAME answer every time – so this year, I decided to put it into song. Note: you have to sing it to the tune of “I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”.

I Want a Clean and Happy House for Christmas
by Donna Earnhardt (me!)

I want a clean and happy house for Christmas
Only a clean and happy house will do
Clutter steals my joy – I lose my peace and poise
I need a clean and happy house that we can all enjoy

I want a clean and happy house for Christmas!
Instead it’s coated in a messy hue
The house needs a scrub – it’s long overdue!
We need a giant breakthrough – can we
get a cleaning crew?

I can see my house on Christmas morning –
No more muddled mess!
Oh what joy I will feel, if my dream gift is revealed
and see the clutter gone –
Poof!
No more stress!

I want a clean and happy house for Christmas
Only a clean and happy house will do
No dirty dishes! No piles of stinky clothes
I want a happy house that’s not offensive to my nose
And everyone who lives here wants that, too!

Let’s donate lots of stuff, we really have enough!
But then again – I must confess that letting go is tough

If only we could put this mess in a garage
or hide it all somehow, but man… I stink at camouflage!

I can see my house on Christmas morning –
No more muddled mess!
Oh what joy I will feel, if my dream gift is revealed
and see the clutter gone –
Poof! No more stress!

I want a clean and happy house for Christmas
Only a clean and happy house will do
No dirty dishes, not piles of stinky clothes
I want a happy house that’s not offensive to my nose
And everyone who visits wants that, too!

To the Naysayers

My beautiful babies amaze me. They are all smart, intelligent, and creative young ladies, intent on chasing their dreams and using the gifts God has given them.

My mama and daddy always told my sister and me that we could do anything we set our minds to. They told us that God had given us gifts to use — and we needed to use them or lose them! They taught us not to listen to the naysayers… the people who shout, “You can’t do that!” and the negative Nellie’s who whisper, “That’s not possible.”

The poem below is meant to remind my daughters of the TRUTH of scripture that declares… “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!”

My daughters are children of the King, the Lord Almighty. His Holy Spirit lives, breathes, and moves in them! They are loved beyond all measure and were created to do GREAT things. This poem is to remind them to remember these truths — no matter what other people and voices try to speak over them.

Huge thanks to my mom and dad for always teaching us who we are in Christ… and reminding us to NEVER give up.

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To the Naysayers
by Donna Earnhardt

Don’t tell me what a girl should do
or try to force your point of view
on me because I don’t know you
and frankly, you don’t have a clue-
you don’t know who
you’re talking to.
Don’t tell me what a girl should do.

Don’t tell me what my dreams should be.
They fill my idea-galaxy
with worlds of creativity-
so keep your negativity
a universe away from me.
Don’t tell me what my dreams should be.

Don’t underestimate my mind.
I’m different, yes, but still designed
the same as YOU – but not confined
to tired tropes that
make you blind
Don’t underestimate my mind.

I am, indeed, a wunderkind–
Don’t underestimate my mind.
And just because you cannot see,
Don’t tell me what my dreams should be
I’m bigger than your narrow view…
Don’t tell me what a girl can do!

Out of the Bubble…

I can finally sit in the chairs on our porch again —
there’s room!

I’m sure our neighbors are glad because it was a mess.
A giant mess, indeed. It was obvious to anyone who passed by that things had piled up on the porch and needed to be addressed.

I’d avoided cleaning it for months. But it was time. So…

I got things in order.
I swept and threw away trash.
And in the process, I even found some broken glass hidden under a box. (Thankfully, I wasn’t barefooted this time!)

It felt good to step out from behind the computer and get outside in the fresh (but cold!) air and sunshine. And it really felt good to have a more peaceful porch.

The process reminded me that there is more to my life than the warm, comfy bubble that you can find me snuggled in most days.

There is far more to this life that God has created for me.
But sometimes it feels like I don’t have room for it all.

I’m sure you see where I’m going with this. 🙂

Bubbles are nice for keeping out the “bad” stuff. But they can also trap us in, forcing us to breathe stagnate air that is not good for our soul. Stepping out offers fresh air and sunshine… a new perspective on things. BUT…

stepping out of our bubbles is not for the faint of heart.

If we choose to do so, we might end up on the messy “porch” that we’ve been avoiding. We might find hidden, broken things that need to be cleaned up. Things that have piled up and need to be addressed.

Maybe the brokenness is a strained friendship.
Maybe the mess is a spiritual battle we’ve been avoiding.
Or maybe it’s a combination of things we can’t even name. Things that yell at us with belittling inner dialogue — dialogue that we have allowed to replace the beautiful life-giving Word that God has been singing to our hearts.

The truth is, we can choose to run back into the warm and cozy bubbles and keep avoiding the mess and brokenness.
But the mess won’t go away on its own. No…
it will keep piling up.

I’m gonna be real.
There is still plenty on my porch (literal and spiritual) that needs to be addressed.
But I can’t do it all at once.
And I can’t do it by myself.
God is working on my blessed mess — bit by bit.
And I know that in Him – there is no judgment — no fear. Only love.

So if you’ve got a “messy porch” in your life, you’re not alone. Come on over and pull up a chair. There’s always room for one more…

#loved
#thankful
#Godisgoodallthetime
#allthetimeGodisgood

The Choice

by Donna Earnhardt (12/6/2018)

 

The moment I choose to worry,

A tiny weed appears.

Then burrowing in my soul’s garden–

it chains me to my fears.

And worry, with talon-like fingers,

rips through my peace and joys.

It strangles my thoughts to silence my song–

Drowns hope in its chaotic noise.

 

BUT GOD…

 

The moment I choose to trust Him,

my King the Eternal High Priest,

untangles my thoughts, restores my heart-song,

and a small seed of faith is released!

God’s perfect love wields perfect power…

His perfect Love casts out all fear –

Now worry no longer can chain me

for LOVE – God Himself — has come here!

 

photo courtesy of Shiftingart Photography (http://shiftingart.com/)