A Moment of Consideration

It's alarming how we in America discard food. Think about the number of times you, just one individual, drop a morsel of food on the ground and rather than eat it, discard it in the trash. Consider all the times you've cleaned your home and found, the kids dropped food under the table again. Or you move the couch to clean under it and find a disgusting pile of crumbs and food debry......."Who said you kids could eat on the couch anyway?"

Now consider the starving people around the world. Think of the families that go to bed hungry once, twice, three times or more a week, because there just isn't enough food in the house to satisfy everyone. Would you believe that in some homes there isn't a single crumb to be found? Not because the house is clean and spotless, but rather, because no morsel goes wasted. When you are starving, you can't afford to waste, not one crumb.

I know what you are probably thinking, I think it myself at times......"What good would my leftovers be?", "It's not like I can feed anyone with what's left on my plate.", or how about, "They're in another country, how is my extra supposed to do anything for them?"

Don't get me wrong, I get it, I understand. But think now about that hungry family down the street and the food you're throwing out each night. Couldn't you make a little less, save a little money at the grocery store, and buy them a meal. Or maybe just a simple invitation to dinner. I know it's an inconvenience. But really, does your house HAVE to be spotless to invite someone over? Don't you think they would be ecstatic to find a bag of groceries sitting on their doorstep. How about those leftovers that you put in the fridge and later just throw out. Sharing those leftovers you think nothing of could be the best meal of the week for some unfortunate person.

Now I want you to consider people across the globe. I know that the left over food you scrape off of your plate each night can't feed someone across the world. But that money you saved from making a little smaller portion could make a difference. The care package you send to a mission family and they share with local residents could save a life.

As I've said in other writings of mine, I know that many didn't make it all the way to the end of my spiel, and I know that many of you that did will just continue on with life as usual. So why write it? Why share my thoughts? Simple, if one person reads all the way through, and that one person reaches out a helping hand to someone less fortunate. Or one person decides to send a care package. Or one person makes a point to say an extra prayer for those hungry and in need. Then God has used me to help, and that's all I can ask for.

Willow

In this Life

In this life there are so many things.
Things that distract from other things.
We miss so many things due to things that distract.
Now maybe you think that my speech is directed towards technology and the distractions it brings.
But I speak even of simpler things.
For you hear the ding of a microwave and part of your conversation gets faded.
You suddenly remember that chore that needs to be done, cutting into the time spent together.
Even simpler you see.
Even at night alone in the quiet, solitude your companion.
Even here you will find that the mind wonders.
Following the most subtle of distractions.
Taking our thoughts in a different direction.
For some the distractions found in those quiet moments are positive.
For others there is a battle.
A battle we would be shameful to forget.
Least the battle become our own.

Why Is It

I wonder why is it I wonder!
Why is it? I wonder!
How could it be? I wonder!
When did this happen? I wonder!
Where was it? I wonder!
Is there something more? I wonder!
What did it do? I wonder!
Did something go wrong? I wonder!
Or maybe perfectly right?  I wonder!
I wonder why it is that I wonder about so many things that I take the time to wonder why it is that I wonder!

Strange

Some may find me a little strange.  Just slightly different then the norm.  But please don't forget.  I am just growing into the person I was taught to be.
Many of you that are reading these words contributed much to the person I have become.  While at the same time contributing to the person I am still growing into.
For the part you played, to each one I say Thank You! A strange bird some may find me but to you that know. A beautiful bird I have become although strange I still may be. 

A prayer for changing and strengthening of the heart

Lord please help me to be loving and patient, while also being stern and consistent in my actions and dealings with my family, friends and those I come in contact with on a day to day basis.

I wish

I wish you knew how hard it is for me. To lay these words out for you to see. I fear that you will think I speak as though I am better in some way then you or any other. That is not the case.  I often wonder why it is I have these thoughts inside my head. Just randomly they pop up. My thoughts not even remotely on such a topic. Then all of a sudden something comes into mind that I can not let go of until it is released. At times I even run from the things that I think. It frightens me to say what I apparently must say. But even still eventually it comes out. Now please remember in love I say everything even on the condemnation I wish only to show you the truth so that you will be set free.

I Am Here

Why do you hurt me; when all I did was be there?
Tried to comfort and lift-up; tried to let you see with your own eyes.
Yet somehow; despite all the effort;
despite the roads and bridges, with my own hands I built for you.
Not for me; oh please won't you see.
It was all for you.
My vain attempt to show you.
Kindness, love and the truth.
Yet you beat me with whips.
Thorns you push into my flesh.
This cross I bear.
Don't you realize it is yours?
But despite the constant pain you inflict.
This weight of yours I choose to bear.
Forever!
That is how long I will love you.
Till the end is come.
That is how long I will try to reach you, and bring you near.
~Willow



This evening as I sat down to write. The image I intended to display was much different then the result of my flowing thoughts. I intended to complain, to be upset with the burden I have bore for so many with nothing in return. It hurts, to be honest. Feeling all on your own and forgotten. But just as he always does, a message was sent to me. As I wrote the words to this poem, the pain I feel, the heartache caused from caring so much for those that only seem to push me down, and my desire to be shown a love I wonder if I'll ever know. I realized one very important thing. Although it is hard and at times I want to give up. As you can clearly see from the words recorded by my pen. This burden I feel was not mine first. I am merely walking a path that was laid out before me long ago by the feet of another. And now, even though, this burden I still feel. I know that I am not carrying it alone. For He told me it was true.

As my last comments on this I wish to share my desire with you. I pray that this poem spreads. Like a wild fire, igniting something within each tree that it encounters. I thank any and all that share this with another. And am grateful for the timing of this reminder. I pray that the Lord use these words as this Easter weekend approaches to touch hearts around the world, bringing some closer and bringing new brothers and sisters to him for the first time.

Thanks once again for your support regardless of how large or how small.
Willow Marks