1 Peter 4:11-13 (New International Version)

¹¹If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹²Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

The beautiful thing about life is that from pain comes beauty. “It life’s hard lessons that stick w/ you.” My mom used to always say that to me and of course I was always like “yeah, whatever.” It’s true though. I had a very decent conversation today about valleys and peaks. I consider life a series of valleys and peaks. I feel that the older I get and further in my walk I progress the valleys have become shorter. Not shorter as in time wise, more like stronger and more apt to realize why I am here and to not make this mistake again. I have a prayer that keeps me moving through those valleys. “Lord, help me learn what I need to learn while I am here so I can GET OUT.” I feel that it has helped me. That is how I keep my peace amongst the storms. It does not always work and is not fool proof but I can’t stop trying. If you are in a valley right now, don’t worry. We have a Father who sees us down there. He will not let us drown when the storms flood that crevice. A Father, who will not let you thirst when the sun is blazing down and scorching your heart. If you are in a struggle then struggle on brothers/sisters, for in this struggle you are growing. You are being molded and watered so that soon you will bloom into such a beautifully sufficient flower. You will bloom and you will go through seasons. The season will come when it is time to spread your leaves to grow an entire garden of love and faith. As again your season will come for you to bloom again and the cycle will continue on and on……

I conduct pain like a met opera maestro

its difficult to see the stage when the lights go

metaphoric symphonies help me progress

no matter how hard I try to avoid and protest

its always the same process

when the curtain swings open like my dreams when hoping

that the last time was the last time

it all begins w/ the tap tap on a music stand

the composer of this orchestration is so talented, so beautiful

hands raised, breathe held, arms drop to queue the musical

the hate resonating deeply through the bass

exhausted from saving face

my deep sighs bellow through a beautifully hand crafted cello

all deceiving things, their strung through strings

all conclusions jumped to w/ out the discussion is being banged out in the percussion

my ears ring louder w/ every bang, how I’ve survived a concussion I’ll never know

I’ve tip-toed through staccato

by keeping my bravado

in perfect order like a piano’s black and white keys

but the harmonies are always all off key

I’ve been playing myself through modulation

all the rumor and lies

every tear I’ve cried along w/ every emotion that died

have created classical hesitation

and the crowd cheers for an encore

un-aware that of this score I do not want more