DaRonn took this shot of me yesterday
Links to the other parts: one, two, three, and four.
Green Free
There once was a girl
Who forgot about grace
She let envy in
And it ruined her face
In place of a glad smile
She spread a grim grin
Could coveting others
Actually be sin?
A twinge she did feel
Encroached by the green
Of hurt in her heart
When successes were seen
Action was taken
She prayed, read and wrote
Healing began
Vines of envy were smote
Made aware of the change
She sprouted a new attitude
Where envy once was
Grew now gratitude
By the fresh grace poured out
She was greatly inspired
To begin to write thanks
The sighs she retired
Grabbing a pen
And a fancy notebook
A title was inscribed
For a prolonged outlook
On the grace and goodness
That actually steered
To a kind, loving Father
Who to her had appeared
Instead of “the end”
A new start has ensued
Free from envy we finish with
To NOT be continued.
G.R.E.E.N. acronyms
Girl! Really! Envious? Even now?
Grace replaces envy. Eternity now.
Gratitude replaces envy, enter notes.
Green? Recognize. Eliminate. Eulogize. Note.
God is good. Read your writing. Eliminate the envy. Enter into eternity. Notice your niceties.
Scripture references:
Titus 3:3-7, “For we ourselves also were sometimes … living in … envy… But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
James 4:5-6. “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
In these seven verses I found my parts and God’s parts.
My Part:
- eliminate reliance upon works of righteousness
- eliminate pride
- be humble
God’s (God our Savior, Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ our Savior) Part:
- Kindness
- Love
- Appearance toward man
- Mercy
- Salvation
- Washing
- Regeneration
- Renewing
- Abundance shed
- Justification
- Grace
- Made heirs
- Hope
- Eternal life
- More grace
- Grace
Thank you for joining me in this process. As I hope you picked up I understand that outcroppings of envy will need to be kept in check from time to time so I have begun a gratefulness notebook. Writing is good for me. Writing down the good in my life is even better. Bless God for all His goodness and grace!
Origami made by my son. The green swan used to be an envious ugly duckling.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I love your poem, your notebook (!), your study in those verses … really great stuff.
<3
Wow! That is a great picture. The person that took it must have talent. How they could have captured the moment and frooze it in a single still shoot. I am inspired.
Hey. Love the thinking that you are going through.
Inspired.
Going out to get a fancy notebook.
Going to title it Gratitude.
God bless you.
Love this. The “Girl! Really? Envious? Even now?” acronym was classic. You’ve created a beautiful journal of your journey through this struggle.
In my mind, the best use of a blog.
@Dirt road girl – Your link worked! Yeah!
Yes, I, too, think this is a good use of bytes in the blogosphere.
@Carin – To know that you were inspired to the point of action has blessed me hugely!
@Babe – You caught a good one.
@Anita la amorosa – muchas gracias amiga mia.
That is a cute picture..Green really suits you!.the fresh, free, revitalized Green that is!
“She prayed, read and wrote
Healing began
Vines of envy were smote” – I’ll say Amen to that!
“eliminate reliance upon works of righteousness ” – mmm. good one.
I like the God’s part stuff too….washing, regeneration…
Thank you so much for sharing this. really.
@Rehanna – Thanks! I need to get more of that color in my wardrobe.
@Amy E. – I appreciate you elaborating. You are welcome.
@ngie- this is incredibly beautiful, and a struggle I think we all have. From time to time we all need to run our own check and balances…I love you princess, you reminded me of a journal I use to keep of everytime I saw the hand of God in my life from the smallest of things to the largest, and it really did encourage me and show me how much a part of my life God was everyday. I think I am going to start doing that again.
I have loved this serious, and may I keep a copy of this poem…I think when I teach my class this weekend I would like to read it to them.
(Are we playing the game tomorrow??? say YES)
@Darla – What an honor! Thank you for wanting to share this with your class. wow. Oh, the answer is yes – the post will publish at midnight.
good stuff, friend.
i liked seeing the pictures of you and your journal
@Thumbuddy – Aaww, thank you.
Thank you, Angie. You’ve given me lots to ponder and ways to overcome. He is so good to us and counting our blessings everyday is sure to keep the green monster at bay!!!
Love you and praying!!
Angie,
I love your poem, very professional. I’m glad you shared your de-greening journey. Since RED is GREEN’s compliment or opposite, what would your new color represent?
@Michelle – I love your sincerity. Amen.
@Emily – My dear sister, let’s see, red would have to been God’s grace and goodness remembered. Maybe like: Remember Every Day. What do you think?
Oh shoot I’ve missed a lot! Am catching up…and ABSOLUTELY LOVE this post. I’m taking it you wrote this poem…ah…you’re such a talented writer Mz. Ang!!
Okay…on to the next one I missed!
@Libby – Aren’t you a sweetie! Yes, I wrote it. Thanks for the kind words.
That is the great thing about blogs – even if you don’t read it the very moment it is posted it is still there waiting for you later.
i love how much joy you find in the journey.