simplyMagnified

Friday, November 11, 2011

Friday, November 4, 2011

This past week, an unexpected nor'easter rocked us here in New Jersey. Instead of raking leaves all weekend, we shoveled snow and spread salt, watching as limb after limb snapped below the weight of ice and snow, taking power lines and communications systems down with them.

Unexpectedly, life as we planned it came to a halt for almost a week, and all we could do was watch, wait, and rest in the quiet. We huddled together for warmth, read by candlelight, conversed, giggled, napped and enjoyed the gifts that this time offered.

Five years ago, an unexpected storm of a violent assault blew through my home and changed it forever. For a long time, my life was merely a wreckage of what it had been. But, as He always does, God met me there in that mess and began to teach me how He never left my side. He was very patient, as it took a long time to convince me. :-)

I had carefully constructed this week to avoid dwelling on the memory, but, due to the storm, I had a LOT of time on my hands and NOT a lot of things to occupy them. I folded them in prayer, lifted them in praise, and opened them in release and expectation.

The calm after the storm always comes, and because of the way my own life has been redeemed, I am on the lookout for the promise of beauty that arises from ashes. It is becoming less "unexpected", and more of a wondrous curiousity.

today i wanted to be distracted

but God wanted me to remember

today i wanted to be strong and healed

but God wanted me to release

today i wanted to radiate His love

but God wanted me to receive

today i wanted to feel better

but God wanted me to feel His peace

glistening treasures in the wake of a storm

unexpected mercies kaleidoscope my life

"and provide for those who grieve in Zion-

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of His splendor." Isaiah 61:3

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

why poetry? why photography?

i sit criss-cross

below this window

that was once

tightly blinded

to keep out the sun

i snap this shot

*contre-jour*

lean forward and

raise the pane wide

autumn wind rustles

the hanging lace that

tickles my face and

kisses my cheek

billowing and draping

with each breath of nature

like a swinging child

beckoning me

to come out and play

This post was written in response to High Calling's PhotoPlay and Tweetspeak's poetry prompt. Thank you to Kelly who shared the journey behind her photos and moved me on a day when I was stuck contre-jour.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

to the left of the centre

if you exact with a surgeon’s skill,

to the left of the center,

beneath the bony shield of sternum,

suspended in tough ligament,

nestled in a spongy notch of lung,

you will see the pumping, deep pink muscle

that keeps blood pulsing

through me.

if you close your eyes and reach me

to the left of the center you will see

a throne where I worship at His feet

a soft chair where He whispers to me

a legacy, victory, my daughter Tori

friends who carry me when I am weak

who mirror back my grace and beauty

a precious bridge walking to trust and intimacy

broken bodies healing

through Loving support and connected feeling

psalm 23, john 15, 16, 17

(Jesus prayed for me!)

van gogh churches and starry scenes

satie, rodin and debussy

parisian streets and cemeteries

a daisy

family heritage, reworked, redeemed

to the left of the center come meet me

This post was created in response to the prompt "to the left of the centre" at

Friday, October 7, 2011

je suis belle

"je suis belle"

no matter how great

his mortal strength
her eyes plead
the horizon
for safe passage
an escape from
unwarranted
uninvited
idolatry that reigns
when he tries
to name her
to save her from
the shame that
always lurks
in her shadow