Just 4 Me Poetry

Pebble or Gem?

2025-01-29T05:47:00.000-08:00

Pebble or Gem?

By Christine Emmick

I decided to let go of what I needed my parents to be
And accept them for who they are
This lets go of the anger
And disappointment

This acceptance forgives them
And shakes off the rejection
Of being a pebble tossed aside
When they did not accept me as I was

I expected them to fulfill a role that they are still
To this very day,
Not prepared for,
And that expectation brought nothing but grief

Still, God is with me
Holding my hand, embracing my soul
Carrying me through the dark and scary night
Into His glorious light of day

Even if I am rejected by everyone,
Including the ones who gave me birth,
I am a beloved daughter of the most high God.
I am a gem He pursued

So that my relationships with my husband
And my daughters,
And others,
Would be whole instead of broken.

He fills every need this little girl has,
Through relationship with Himself,
And those that He brings unto me,
I am healed and whole because of His sacrifice.

It is the sacrifice that every equipped and loving parent makes for their children
It is the sacrifice of self for the gleam in the eye of your child
It is the late nights,
the lost sleep,
the doctor's visits,
the school plays,
the boo boo kisses,
the flowers just because,
the interruptions received with joy,

and most of all,
It is the desire to see our children know what true joy is
And experience the reflection of that joy in their face
And in their lives.

Surely that joy will be passed down to their children
And grand children,
Because it was easy for them to love
When they were shown what a precious gem they are

Copyright 2017 - Christine Emmick

Passion

2014-06-22T04:30:00.000-07:00

Passion, like a flame
Well cared for and contained
In the confines of the hearth of marriage
Will give warmth for a lifetime
And bring joy forever to those who live in the home of promises kept

Flames, as well as passion
Left to burn where they may
Will destroy the house and those who live there
Leaving nothing but ashes and ruin
Bringing despair and bitterness to those who had once called it home

Do not allow old flames to rekindle
Keep them far from your heart and your home
Lest they become the very flicker that burns it to the ground
Bringing tears and destruction
And a bitter root planted in the hearts of all who lived there

Oh daughters of Jerusalem
Do not awaken love before it's time
I beg you to keep your passions contained in your hearth
So they may bring you and your whole household
A lifetime of warmth and joy

Copyright 2014
Christine Emmick

There Is No Difference

2014-04-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

Vanished are the pay-scales, power struggles and plights

In a well seasoned smile

Sprinkled with love, acceptance and humility

A kind word to strangers

Can melt the hardest heart, and turn the well worn frown

We really are... the same

Photo and text Copyright 2014 Christine Emmick

Names

2013-03-21T03:51:00.006-07:00

Some names do hurt.
So today we call ourselves...

Wanted

Cherished

Whole

Alive

Forgiven

Powerful

Blessed

and

Loved

Inspired by Shane Koyczan's TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa1iS1MqUy4

December 21 2012

2012-12-20T06:26:00.000-08:00

Heaven is now. The joy of the Lord is available to us now and is our strength in troubled times.

Peace is here. When we put down our knowledge to pick up wisdom, we gain a peace that surpasses earthly understanding.

As believers we have the hope of glory now because Christ now dwells in us. This earth may pass away tomorrow, or 100 years from tomorrow. When this happens should not concern us because we have access to all things in heaven now!

Is there mourning? Is there grief? No... not when we understand that earth and everything on it is temporary, and to be absent from it is to be in His presence. Everything we see, He sees. Spirit speaks to spirit beyond human language.

Be still... and know that He is God.

Seek Him... and the glory of heaven is yours... now.

Merry Christmas

2012-12-09T20:46:00.000-08:00

Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night

Spectacular Savior

Bring your light

Illuminate my soul

Turn my heart right

Break the blackness

Divide the stirring wind

Pierce my heart

Renew my mind

Copyright 2012 - Christine Emmick

The Princess

2012-08-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

Dedicated to Kira Fry - Miss PA Pre-Teen

By Christine Emmick

There once was a young girl

Who was modest and fair

No matter the quest

She did it with flair

Her friends they were many

‘cause she thought of others

She treated them all

Like sisters and brothers

Then one special day

She embarked on a quest

Even though it was tough

She gave it her best

The plan wasn’t hers

It was laid at her feet

But she’d not accept

The sting of defeat

She took not the strife

The toil or despair

She left them behind

Then gave up her hair

Did she sulk or weep?

That’s not our girl’s way

She smiled and accepted

Each God given day

As a gift to unwrap

And then give to others

The joy that she’d found

To her sisters and brothers

When you lead like a servant

Like Jesus did

God gives you gifts

That others would dread

Since she knew the difference

Between good gifts and bad

God knew He could trust her

With this gift that He had

Alopecia’s the gift

That she has been given

It’s brought only to those

Who are worthy of leading

Into the Arms of the Savior

2012-06-24T15:46:00.001-07:00

This is a work in progress... I'll be updating it.

_________

Who is the place that you fall to
When you are at the end of your line
While you clutch desperately the ragged ends
As the rope starts to unwind

Fall
Into the arms of the Savior
Fall
Into the arms of grace
Fall

Where is the place that you run to
When all of your "friends" turn their back
You call over and over and no one is there
And you've taken all you can take

Run
Into the arms of the Savior
Run
Into the arms of grace
Run

Copyright 2012 Christine Emmick

The Power of Forgivness

2012-05-16T06:17:00.001-07:00

Offense dissolves in forgiveness
Pain is changed to joy
Words of power, grace and Life
Restore what was lost
And bring broken hearts into mend
Scars now dissappear
Fading to distant memory

River of Life

2012-04-29T19:13:00.001-07:00

You and I are called to be a river, not a stagnant pool. This river of life that flows to us, in order to receive God's full blessing, must also flow through us.

We are responsible for the spiritual health of others. This is an awesome responsibility, but God gives us every single tool we need to perform this job. No matter how wide our reach, you and I will affect those whom we touch. If we choose to use the tools God gives us, we will make a positive, life changing impact.

I am not Love's destination...I am Love's conduit.

As I sit here realizing the lives He has entrusted to me, the awesome responsibility bestowed upon me, and the ultimate grace given me to perform the task, I am not afraid. I am encouraged, awestruck, and empowered. God chose me to influence the lives of others. He gives you the same calling, and the same gift.

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

- John 7:38 ESV

Love

2012-02-25T02:42:00.000-08:00

"My Husband"
Words as sweet as dripping honey
Comfort... Joy... Thankfulness
Abiding with him for all of this life

Taking love with all it's bitter and sweet moments
Yes, marriage is not just a river of sweet
But in the brook there are bitter stones
Interrupting the flow

But yet love can carry on... if you let it
It goes on to the still pools where two become one
And the deep calls, and they meet God
And then they truly know what love is

A Prayer for Today

2012-01-11T00:43:00.000-08:00

Dear God,

Today I give you my head
My heart... and my tongue
My hands and feet
My will and my day

Fill me with Your Holy Spirit
So that my mouth will sing of your glory
And let me walk in Your grace
So that my steps are filled with favor

Amen

Copyright 2012 Christine Emmick - May be freely distributed with a link to Just4MePoetry.blogspot.com

A New Place For Poetry...

2011-12-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

Introducing the new Cafe Press site, POP SCRIPTURE. You will find wearable items of encouragement, as well as thought provoking, life affirming messages.

On the Verge...

2011-09-13T05:05:00.000-07:00

A letter to someone about to make a bad decision...

What is going on between you two? You are signing papers? I really hope this isn't true.

If it is, I want you to know something. The world may say this is an easy thing. Just sign the papers, your life will be SOO much better. The kids will be fine. Yeah, this may look easier and better in the long run, but it isn't. What's worse your vision may be clouded by someone else’s attention.

Your parents aren't divorced. You really have not looked at this from the inside. Now you will have to watch your children go through it.

I have to watch my children get confused when I tell them they have a new grandma. I watch my brother call her "Mom" even though she isn't. I'm almost 40 and this is still so screwed up! The best I can do is tolerate the situation, and it still, 20 YEARS after the fact, does not sit well with me.

Your children will experience this type of disconnected family. Your grandchildren will. Your great grandchildren will know that you two could not keep it together, but the secret is you can. You ALWAYS can.

If you haven't signed papers, there is still time. Is your spouse perfect? No, but neither are you. Don't make the biggest mistake of your life. If you have already, I mourn for your children. The loss of family makes a person hurt so deeply they may not even be able to acknowledge it. Look at what it has done to her, to me. Can you see?

We hide it well, but there have been many nights I've cried in my husband’s arms from the rejection and pain I've felt from both of my parents, from the games they played with me as a pawn. "Well, then, why don't you go ask your FATHER for money." "You know how your mother is..." "Stop acting like your father!" "I never loved your mother." All these things said with smite about the other, neither knowing that the part of me that is the other dies. Is the part of me that is my mother unlovable too?

Yeah this stuff is buried well by most, but it's there. Make no mistake, it's there. I see it in her eyes when she joked she didn't have anyone to call on father's day. Will your children be able to joke about the same thing?

Yes, I don't know how hard it is to have a spouse who doesn't tell the truth. He has lied to me once and I was so mad I could've spit fire, and waves of distrust shadowed our relationship for months afterward. So no, I don't know what you are going through. But what you are going through is nothing compared to what your kids will experience. Don't make the biggest mistake of their lives.

I love those kids dearly, that is why I had to do this. I had to let you know what you are doing to them. The stinging pain may go away with time, but the dull ache will last a lifetime.

If you don't believe me, look at your extended family. Look at their lives after their parents’ divorce. Yeah, one was able to hold it together, but guess who he's got? Christ. That's the only reason we are able to hold things together. You may not believe it, but the proof is right in front of you. Go ask your relative what he really thinks of divorce. He's watched two of three of his children fail in relationships, and watched his grand children suffer for the same.

I hope you've read and carefully considered what I've said. I know you guys could hold things together if you started going to church and maybe to some counseling. Marriage is hard, no matter what, but just like AA, having a higher power to turn to when things become unbearable is the key to success.

We love you guys, all of you.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

My prayer for all of those on the verge...

Stop, look, listen

Listen to what the Lord says

Delight in the bride of your youth!

Don't fall for the serpent's scemes

He manages all flesh, plays with it's desires

To bring catastrophy

Ruin

Desolation

Dispare

I see it in the eyes of those that suffer for his lies

I see it in the eyes of their children, and in me

Dear adopted sons and daughters

Don't exchange God's fruit for the devil's thorns

One nourishes, while the other scratches

Tearing away flesh,

And voice

And Life

Your Love

2011-08-25T05:11:00.000-07:00

I am broken, Lord heal my soul
Make me live for, You alone
No other person, place or thing
Can heal me like Your love

I am empty, Lord come fill me up

Can Your Spirit overflow my cup
No other person, place or thing
Can fill me like Your love

Days and nights can get so long
That’s when I hear Your voice so strong
When dark clouds loom and the storms they rage
I know You’re just turning another page

I am restless, come direct my way
Are You listening, When I pray
No other person, place or thing
Can move me like Your love

Lord I’m listening, expectantly
Come and whisper, Your will to me
No other person, place or thing
Can hold me like Your love

Even though I know Your name
I walk with You, no guilt or shame
But when I fall like a fading flower
You lift me up each needing hour

Peace You give me, but not like those
It passes all of what is known
No other person place or thing
Can fill me, move me, heal me hold me
No other person place or thing
Can love me like Your love

Copyright 2011 Christine Emmick, All rights reserved.

Poem for Leslie...

2011-05-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

Opportunity to Serve

2011-03-21T16:39:00.000-07:00

Forgiveness is more precious than gold
To be wrapped in Grace is the finest adornment
The most comforting warmth from the elements of rage

Truth is only received from friends
Their loving hearts spill forth and give gentle drops
To a thirsty soul, dry and parched with the drought of sin

Patience loves through silent action
Giving an endless supply of life received from Him
The giver growing richer with each opportunity to serve

Joy is the gift of the obedient
Witness to His radiant acts, Grateful to be a part
Of the body, the chosen, the bride, the church

Feeling Negative?

2011-02-22T05:30:00.000-08:00

Pay attention to the blessings
Really know who you are in Christ
Always thank God for everything
You can do all things through Him

Marriage is…

2011-01-19T06:04:00.000-08:00

Sweet embrace
Touch…
Hold…
Love…
Children…
Shhh…
Baby’s awake
We have to wait
But passion grows
When patience flows
And oh how sweet
The next time
We enjoy
The gift

Copyright 2011 Christine Emmick
All rights reserved

The Gift

2011-01-19T05:55:00.000-08:00

“My lover is mine, and I am his.”
So say the Creator of our souls
“Do not arouse or awaken love, until it so desires.”
So say the Maker of our Hearts

Dear adopted daughters of Jerusalem
Do not toss away the gift
Those that hear my voice
Do not take lightly love

Those that discard the gift
Those that unwrap desire before it’s time
Are left broken, bitter, lonely, lost
With generations to bear the load

He knows how we are made
He knows true pleasure
Don’t be fooled by the imp’s schemes
Only God’s love can fill you

Take the man He has given you
Delight in only him
For faithfulness is a balm in battle
An unbroken tie is bliss in old age

Copyright 2011 Christine Emmick
All rights reserved

Running from the Son

2010-05-02T21:45:00.000-07:00

The time I spent hunting sin, living on the run
I’d like to forget
Every moment spent
Running from the Son

Torment, discord, mal-content, it really isn’t fun
Wasting time
And soul and life
Running from the Son

He pursues His child beloved, leaves the flock behind
Love has found
A soul was bound
Now no longer blind

I surrender all the cares, giving up what’s mine
The Great I AM
Holds in His Hand
The life I’ve longed to find

Free from burden condemnation, all sin is washed away
With a view
To start anew
Each and every day

Longing now to walk with You, the battle has been won
There’s no alarms
Safe in Your arms
No longer Running from the Son

Copyright 2010 Christine Emmick
All Rights Reserved

Forgiveness

2010-02-19T20:07:00.000-08:00

The presence of Faith does not preclude sin
The presence of sin does not preclude Faith
One acknowledges the other
Hands the pardon
And restores the connection

Copyright 2010 Christine Emmick
All Rights Reserved

I Miss You

2009-09-22T04:18:00.000-07:00

It still hurts seeing the picture of what you could have been
God, You know the plans
I’m the one that stands
To gain
Your eyes must be like the stars that fill the sky
Your smile like the rain
Wash away the pain
I feel

I miss you
Though I’ve never seen your face
Never felt you sweet embrace
I miss you

Knowing that in the August breeze I’d have held you
The turning of the autumn leaves
You were never meant to see
Instead
You sit with the one who made the earth and sky
The fight was over before begun
Now you sit with the Son
Embraced

I miss you
My arms are empty, my heart is full
God’s grace is enough to get me through
I miss you

Copyright 2009 Christine Emmick
All rights reserved

Response to “Skeleton American”

2009-04-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

This poem is in response to a piece called "Skeleton American" written by an author simply known as "Dan."

By Christine Emmick

Guilt of gluttony you fear more than all
Rattle your finger in alarm
While Forgiveness and Grace ask silently
To take you in Their arms

While fruit that would give you life
Sits rotting at your feet
Your pride of self and indignation
Give rise to defeat

Know the Maker of the vine of life
The One who made the frame
Can bring new flesh to cover bones
And wash away the shame

Copyright 2009 Christine Emmick
All rights reserved