The Place Where Memories Grow PDF

The Place Where Memories Grow Phoenix Grace The Place Where Memories Grow © 2023 Phoenix Grace All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanica...

The Place Where Memories Grow Phoenix Grace The Place Where Memories Grow © 2023 Phoenix Grace All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the presenters. Phoenix Grace asserts the moral right to be identified as author of this work. Presentation by BookLeaf Publishing Web: www.bookleafpub.com E-mail: [email protected] ISBN: 9789358316704 First edition 2023  DEDICATION To all those who've weathered life's storms, found strength in faith, and discovered the eternal beauty of growth, "The Place Where Memories Grow" is lovingly dedicated to you. May these words serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit (strengthened by God), and an enduring reminder that, like the verdant forest, we too can thrive in every season of our lives ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This collection would not have been possible without the unwavering support and encouragement of so many. My deepest gratitude goes to my family, whose love and patience sustain me every day. To my mentors, friends, and church family who offer new ways of seeing, believing in (but not of) the world. To all the women of Arise with Grace, who have trusted me with their stories of pain to promise and who have , in turn, empowered me to take a leap of faith of my own. To my readers, for whom I write with an open heart, and to God, who lights my way on this poetic journey. Thank you for being a part of "The Place Where Memories Grow."  PREFACE In "The Place Where Memories Grow," you are invited to embark on a profound journey of faith, self-discovery, and transformation. These verses are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the healing power of faith, and the enduring beauty of life's many seasons. Phoenix Grace takes you through the depths of despair to the heights of inspiration, embracing life's ever-changing landscape. As you delve into these pages, may you find a sanctuary of words and a testament to the enduring strength of the spirit.  In my dreams, I sometimes go In my dreams, I sometimes go, to the Place Where Memories Grow Laughter, tears, through all the years Root themselves in fertile ground 1  Dear God, Dear God, Everything I said (say) And everything I did (do) Has been about striving, searching Looking for me, And looking for You 2  I seek to experience my life unfolding I seek to experience my life unfolding Ripe with possibilities- the fruit plump and golden The withered vines, the lands untamed are a part of self- not hidden and shamed It is all beautiful, honoured, and named From spark to seed, To sapling and tree It is all part of me 3  Leafy splendour Leafy splendour- full and rich nourished dreams that have come to pass Memories deep- rooted in dark soil Without sunlight and proper care Stand in stark contrast With leaves stripped bare 4  In the Borderlands In the Borderlands Between Here and there, Now, and Then Betwixt and Between Is an Uncertain Place to be Behind you is a story Before you is His Glory The middle is a riddle. a mountain, a mystery, 5 You pray for hope, an answer, a rope, Then, in the wind, a whisper says, Now is the time to- Learn from the past Live in the present Look to the future In the Borderlands is where you are meant to be 6  Shrinking inside herself Shrinking inside herself to protect the middle, the fragile core Heart turns to stone- feel no pain Fossilized joy Is buried deep 7  Stumbling around IN THE DARK I was stumbling around IN THE DARK Flailing about with my arms wide open clinging, grasping Searching for a WAY OUT When, I heard a voice say, “You see with your heart, and hear with your soul” Then, a path opened up in front of me 8 and, step by step I was lead INTO THE LIGHT 9  Kaleidoscope I am broken, fragmented Inside out, upside down, turning around and around No clear picture of who I am Microcosm Macrocosm Chasm of the soul No clear purpose Then- ILLUMINATION Beauty seen in the eye of the beholder “Beloved,” He calls me I was CREATED In the image of the one who made me I am no longer broken- 10 IN HIM I am Whole and Holy Unique Chosen A Child of God Daughter of the King of Kings 11 Made by God to stand up and stand out I was made by God to stand up and stand out Not sit down, shut up be shut out, or shut down repressed, suppressed, oppressed Not give in under stress or duress- made to feel less than the rest I am not who people say I am My identity is not of man 12 I am a Child of God We are all Children of God- Sisters in Christ We can choose to make it right Not gossip and fight (Be ruled by might) We are all here together We can love one another, support one another, encourage one another Be the Light Be the change we wish to see No matter the crime, We are redeemed by Christ He is the judge, not you and me 13  Tender seedlings Tender seedlings, Newly planted Not one thought or experience Taken for granted Living presently, in the moment Full of potential Waiting to happen 14  Wordless Wood I walked into the wordless wood filled with anger, pain and grief I met a willow who wept for me And embraced me with His branchy Leaf There I found myself- quite beyond belief Filled with calm, grace and peace Whole and Holy Oh, sweet relief! 15  Windows and Mirrors I sit inside on my sunny sill, and watch the world go willy nil Outside, i think, it is dark, not bright Full of strife, and ruled by might I much prefer my inner calm To wheel a balm Rather than Wield a bomb I relax in thinking the truth, so clear When, suddenly, In Spirit’s voice, I hear: Remember, dear one, each of us Is a mirror for the other You see the world not as it is, But as you are 16 You are both dark, and bright, Calm, and strife Inner, and outer, Human, and divine Each one no better than the other Take my hand and follow me. It is about the journey, AND the destination The key is not to do, but to be As you look in more deeply, You will see out more clearly The Word is both a mirror and a window 17  Somewhere betwixt and between Somewhere betwixt and between, lies the bridge between Sacred and Obscene I dwell in the gaps, In meager and mean And wait for the “I Am” to be Heard and Be Seen 18  At the end of yourself At the end of yourself you find the way Stretched out and up and beyond your limits Unsure, Uncertain Not knowing where you are at or where you are going You reach out You reach up You have faith You step out You find your wings and you fly… 19  Spread Your Wings Have you ever felt like the brilliant butterfly- Emerging from its chrysalis, Expecting to soar past the horizon, to lands unconquered. and dreams not realized- only to be trapped in the filmy nothingness of reality? If so, remember, You too have the butterfly's brightly colored hues- Talent, Ability, Resilience And the strong wings capable of taking you Beyond sky the the furthest of reaches 20  Fragments of Grace Scattered shards of broken down rock reflecting Light from Above Warmth rising, Cool turquoise beauty- lapping in pools Fronds of foliage in vibrant hues of growth- The smell of hope and freedom 21  Arise with Grace! As dawn's first light breaks through the night, A rebirth in faith, a sacred sight, I leave the past, embrace God's plan, A new creation, by His hand. In Christ, I find the strength to soar, Letting go of what's gone before, Transformed by grace, I stand in awe, In His love, I'm born once more. 22  In trials and storms In trials and storms, I'll stand my ground, With faith as my anchor, strength is found. Though dark clouds gather, I won't despair, In every hardship, I'll find hope's flare. With courage in my heart, I'll face the night, Through adversity, I'll seek the light. Resilient spirit, unwavering soul, In life's challenges, I'm made whole. 23  In Shadow's Deep In shadows deep, my soul did wane, Lost in doubt, consumed by pain. But faith emerged, a guiding star, Redemption's promise, near and far. Through grace and mercy, love's embrace, I found in faith a sacred place. From darkness to the light I'd tread, Redeemed and whole, my spirit led. 24  Lord of my life I love you Jesus, you are Lord of my life I give you all of me, In the midst of all this strife Use this broken vessel to help heal a broken world Trials by fire, transformed by faith to gold Anger, pain, and grief- finding no relief Pushed to the margins, held captive by sin I call upon your name, hoping to reclaim all the promises 25 You did proclaim Now, your peace Is in my heart Sign of a new start Use this broken vessel to help heal a broken world Trials by fire, transformed by faith to gold 26  The Place Where Memories Grow In my dreams, I sometimes go, to the Place Where Memories Grow Laughter, tears, through all the years Root themselves in fertile ground Oh, verdant forest, evergreen Tell me who I am and where i’ve been Leafy splendour- full and rich nourished dreams that have come to pass Memories deep- rooted in dark soil Without sunlight and proper care Stand in stark contrast With leaves stripped bare Oh, verdant forest, evergreen Tell me who I am and where i’ve been Tender seedlings, Newly planted 27 Not one thought or experience Taken for granted Living presently, in the moment Full of potential Waiting to happen Oh, verdant forest, evergreen Tell me who I am and where i’ve been I see the future of this wood- Mixed growth forest Strong and free Full of life giving birth to life Working together From spark To seed to sapling To tree Bearing fruit of love and peace I see the willow and the pine The apple and the birch The cedar and the maple too And in the centre, Standing together- the mighty oak And the lilac intertwine! 28 Oh verdant forest, evergreen, I now know who I am and where I’ve been And I am planting seeds Of the future Yet unseen 29 1