What Type of Poem Are You?

First, I’ve absolutely FAILED at one of my personal goals of 2023. That goal? To write at least one blog post each month. Apologies for those of you who actually follow and read my ramblings.

To be honest, there have been plenty of thoughts about writing a post. Like at the end of the school year….or about the 3 1/2 hour drive to try an ice cream diner…or my summer. All those thoughts….spiraled into nothingness.

However, this morning, our school-aged kids were mostly out-of-town on long-weekend excursions, so I had the unexpected blessing of actually being a “worshiper” throughout our morning service. I believe it was one of those God-moments because I needed to hear the message that Pastor Mike proclaimed.

Let me explain, he’s currently preaching through the book of Ephesians. Personally, I prefer these periods when he preaches through a book and challenges us with the Word directly from His Word. Today’s sermon was on Ephesians 2:1-10.

As a Christian since third grade, I’ve read this passage countless times. Sometimes, those passages that you’ve read and reread are the ones whose sermons hit us the hardest. Today’s was like that.

As most of you know, I’m a teacher. I love my career, but I don’t relish ALL aspects of it. Not a fan of grading – yep, I have a stack of student work to score after I post this. Would rather not receive negative communication from parents – so I’m always hesitant to click on a new message just in case it’s of that type. Then, don’t get me started on all the political decrees and regulations that make my blood boil.

However, I think most people who know me would say that I try to do my best as a teacher. Besides enjoying the job, I also know that everything I do as a Christian should be a reflection of Him shining through me. On days when my negative side rears its ugly head, my conscience generally convicts my spirit by the end of the day.

Scripture tells us that whatever we do – in word or deed – it should all be done for the glory of God. That’s my goal as a woman of God to exemplify His love and truth in my actions. Do I always succeed? Nope. But I try. Sometimes it may feel like it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, but every little thing matters. Just like that old starfish story, it matters to that one, but it also matters to The One.

Pastor Mike shared a quote this morning by Mother Teresa, and it goes along with this line of thinking. What do you think?

Now, the title? Why did I choose THAT title for THIS post? The comment that triggered the prompt response of “I’ve got to write a post about this” was that we are poems and God is our poet.

For those of you who don’t know, I’ve self-published a collection of my poems . Some were written as a high school girl, others as a young woman in college, and others as a “mature” woman. So, the poetry metaphor struck a cord. Then, the teacher mind mixed with it to get me to this thought, “Hmmm, if I’m a poem, what type of poem would I be?”…

Perhaps, I’m a haiku. Short & simple but a bit abstract.

Maybe I’m a limerick. Bringing joy to others through laughter.

Then there’s an elegy. A formal yet sad and mournful writing.

I could be a narrative poem. A good story that …. seems a little long sometimes.

Do I go a step beyond narrative and explode as an epic? Extraordinary, and filled with superhuman abilities.

Perhaps a sonnet? Following the guidelines but often overflowing with thoughts of love.

Why not an ode? Expressing praise and adoration for someone/something.

What was my conclusion? I’m each of them; well, I don’t think I’m an epic. Yet, at times, the poem that comes out is one or another. To be honest, I don’t think it matters WHICH poem type I am. It only matters WHOSE poem I am. When people read the poem of my life, does it point them to The Poet?

What about you? What type of poem are you? But…more importantly, WHOSE poem are you.