Action Requested

Okay, so I need your help with something here. I am going to enter one or more poems in a Christian poetry contest and I can't decide which of them to use. So, I am going to trust my one or two faithful blog readers to tell me which poem(s) to enter. Here's how it will work:

Read the three poems and rate them with #1 being your top choice and #3 your last choice. You can either respond by sending me an e-mail or by sending a comment (of course, I'd prefer a comment, but I know some of you are shy, so ...) to the blog. I really do need your help, so please take the time to read and rate the poems. I will submit the poem(s) based on the responses I receive. Please submit your responses by Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Thank you in advance! (And please forgive typos - I can't even keep my eyes open right now!)

Option 1: The Woman You Are

I am intimately acquainted
with each beat of your heart,
with the depths of your soul
and the woman you are.

I created you with a purpose,
goals you're meant to achieve,
things you're meant to accomplish
with the gifts you've received.

Though some may seem like burdens,
gifts that you'd like to trade,
winning's not all in the cards,
but the way that they're played.

Use your gifts for My purpose,
use your gifts for My will -
they are yours, with my blessing,
for your role to fulfill.

That stubborn streak they talk about
is persistence, you see.
You will need it, I know,
to do your work for me.

And the temper that you cry about
is the passion I've sewn
in the fabric of you -
it will help you go on.

You're aggressive, dramatic
and you overreact,
not to mention the things
others say that you lack.

You could stand to smile more sweetly,
hold your head a different way.
People will always try to change you,
always have something to say.

Don't you know that I created you
and I don't make mistakes?
Every gift I have given,
in My time, has its place.

You have all you require,
it's been given - it's done.
All your needs have been met,
every battle's been won.

Now it's up to you, Beloved,
to use what I've given you -
Use it well and be rewarded.
All I've promised will come true.


Option #2: The Daughters of Eve

The essence of me
that I carry inside
is the beauty you see
when I don’t run and hide.

It’s in every look,
it’s in all that I say
and the way I react
to my life every day.

In the way that I love
with my whole heart and soul
and invite you to learn
all that my beauty holds.

In the way that I offer
all the love that I know
and entice you to share,
to come bask in its glow.

In the way that my presence
draws you in from the start,
how it welcomes you into
the warmth of my heart.

It’s the trust I display
when I let others in,
how I freely give all
that I am from within.

It’s the power in me,
it’s my gift from above,
how my God crafted me
to distribute His love.

Most of all, it is God,
and His will, I believe,
that His beauty would shine
through the daughters of Eve.


Option #3: When I Say that I Love Jesus

When I say that I love Jesus,
I’m not saying I’m a saint,
‘cause I know nobody’s perfect
and can promise you I ain’t

When I say that I love Jesus,
I’m not trying to prove the point
that I’m the saved and sanctifiedest
holy roller in the joint.

When I say that I love Jesus,
He’s the Saviour of my soul,
I’m not speaking out in judgment –
that’s just not the way I roll.

When I say that I love Jesus,
I don’t mean to shut you out.
It’s just my way of expressing
what my life is all about.

When I tell you I love Jesus,
I’m not saying you love Him less
or that you can’t choose your own way
to make sure that love’s expressed.

All I’m saying is that He’s
my All in All, my truth, my light –
He’s my Father and He’s shown me
that I’m precious in His sight.

So when I say, “I love You, Jesus,"
why not think of it this way –
they’re the same three words that every
father’s little girl should say.



Think of this as practice for the election - let your voice be heard. Thanks!