Green

     Did you ever walk through a garden and pause to think instead of the variety rather the similarities? Almost every plant on Earth is green. Green because of something called chlorophyll in the cells of the plant. Incredible. A biologist would tell you down to minute detail the reason behind the green, but I'll make the simple out of the complex. There is a uniformity to this world. So much green.
     Speaking of this world, I find it interesting that they call Earth the Blue Planet. Yeah, yeah, I know, it's because there's so much water that when you back away from Earth it looks blue. Being that green is my favorite color, I much would have preferred it be called the Green Planet. And why not? How many planets out there have life, let alone so much foliage?
     When a child paints the bottom strip of his paper green, everyone automatically assumes it means grass. The green beneath our feet. Green has also been associated with life. Trees are especially common in myths and logos about life. When a plant dies it loses its green and slowly turns to grey and dust. Makes me wonder if the same would be said of us if we humans came in green.
     Some rather funny things about calling people green. Call someone a green thumb and you're calling him a gardener or one who likes to garden. Call someone a green worker (or apprentice, as the older phrase was) and you're calling him ignorant and inexperienced. Tell someone he looks green and you're saying he looks sick, unhealthy. Talk about green politicians and you would mean environmentalists. A bit confusing if you ask me.
     Did you notice where green is in ROY G. BIV? Yep, in the middle. Green is the center of the visible light spectrum. And you know what else? Everybody looks great in grass. Try it. Have your friend take a picture of you in the grass. (And hope your friend's a good photographer.) That and green can go with any other color. Take a regular green and a color wheel and spin it. And then change the tone of the green. See?
     Lime green. Neon green. Bright. Cheery. Bold.
     Dusty green. Soft. Foresty. Implies a summer's day just before the autumnal color change.
     Green. Plant green. Happy green. An overall pleasing color.
     Dark green. Royalty. Dead of winter. Evergreen.
     Green is the new black. Go out and wear green. And not just on St. Patrick's Day, okay?

Who Am I?

     I know I've talked about this before. But this is something I've been learning for quite some time now and it still impacts me.
     We live in a world of social media. So many methods of communication and keeping in touch with others. We can connect with the whole world. And every mistake you make can be broadcasted across our space and getting it removed and forgotten is harder than ever. So what do we do? We build walls.
     We develop ways of hiding ourselves. We wear a mask, smiling, nodding, pretending like everything's alright. Our deepest secrets we bury inside ourselves and hope no one comes our way to break down our self-made cage.
     Because that is what it is. My Hero spent his life on Earth with no cage, no walls, no mask. Said, "This is who I AM." Are we not to do the same? Are we not loved for who we are? Then why do we compare ourselves to others, hiding the imperfections and differences?
     Even I still do this. I should know better. But I still find myself trying to compare with others, to measure up to others. Asking myself, "What do they think of me? Have I done enough or gone too far?"
     We fear being unloved. We fear the pain of rejection. As a Christian there's another level added to that. To be told "I don't want your Jesus" hurts. A lot. And I started to question myself whether I actually believed what I did. I started to question my insanity and if it was worth it. Looking around I started to compare myself with those around me. Those who denied Jesus and used The Name as a curse word seemed to have it better than me. They knew who they were.
     Then I watched a coworker go through a relationship faster than I thought possible. She was so happy and in love and then it faded so fast. And she questioned everything too. Then she asked me why I was so happy all the time. Everywhere I turned people were telling me this. I was called cute, spunky, energetic, a rock star, twinkle toes, Cinderella, happy. They envied me. What did I have that they didn't?
     Nothing. Nothing except...my Everything.
     Even if I lost all my possessions, my home, my family, my friends, my health, I would still have my Everything. My I AM. God loves the whole world. I was only different from them in the fact that I took God's Love and ran with Him, my hand in His scarred hand. Who knew a Wound like that would meaning healing for my own? I am filled to overflowing with the love of God. And that love that forgave my sin set me free. Free to become the person God wants me to be. To stop comparing myself to others and stand up and say, "I know who I am."
     Joy may not be a great sounding name, but the meaning sums me up nicely. It is the tears of happiness when I'm singing to God. It is the smile across my face that came up out of nowhere and I haven't a clue why I'm smiling. It's the peace looking at the sunset or standing quietly on the mountaintop. It's the rush of riding river rapids or looking over the Grand Canyon. This is who I am.
     Has God shown you who you are?

Touch Your Soul; A Poem

For a friend.


Strong intellect. Strong spirit. What would I do to know you?
Sometimes I feel I could guess your mind.
And the words you speak confirm my suspicions.
And then you turn it around.
And say what I least expect.
Beautiful.
Forgive the word, but it's true.
You are unforgettable.
Even if I were to never see you again,
you are imprinted on my mind as long as I live.
Your smile. No one smiles like you.
Such a big, ear to ear grin.
People have said your smile's a little much.
A little much? No. It's so much.
So contagious.
It's wonderful.
What would I give to receive your smile everyday.
What has happened?
Have I gotten soft over the years?
Why do I care such about one I've just barely come to know?
What am I that you should glance my way?
What are you?
That I feel like I could confess it all and you would keep it safe?
That the pains you would forgive,
and the joys you would cherish?
Are you as I?
A secret keeper?
The kind of person that all feel compelled to share with you?
And you are not one to share it again?
Are you as I?
A mind and heart so full of dreams and ideas?
Look me in the eye.
Tell me you see as I see.
Know as I know.
Are you...
do you...
oh words, why do they fight?
Where once a flowing stream, now I have nothing.
I would blame you for stealing my words,
but you also stand in silence.
But let the silence stand. Even silence is bearable.
But your eyes stare into mine.
And a hundred questions swarm my brain,
I'm longing to search your mind.
I take you as you are.
Forget your past.
Let me see you now.
Stand before me.
And I will remove my glasses of prejudice,
suspicion, and my fears.
Do you care? Or am I just another passerby?
To touch your arm is one thing,
to touch your soul is so much harder.
I am a warrior, used to protecting myself.
But I want to put it away when I'm with you.
To simply be.
I'm opening up my hand.
I'm putting down the sword.
I want to tell you my Insufferable Vision.
My Recurring Dream.
But to surrender this?
My hands are shaking like leaves.
Should I wait? Would you know what to do with it?
Would you laugh in my face? Turn away from me?
Strong intellect. Strong spirit. What would I do to know you?