"Restless": A Poem

 "Restless"

by

Erin-Rae Donaldson 

I was restless.

Broken, bruised, and tormented by the fear that had consumed me

Lost in a field, with no GPS to help navigate my way through the roughage.

My mind wandered from dawn till dusk, contemplating the many paths I could take.

Perhaps if I turn to the right, left, or continue straight I will reach God’s intended destination for me.

But what if I make the wrong turn? What happens then?

I was restless.

A new day approached and a wave of fresh air filled my lungs.

My heart sang a song it had never sung before, like a bird singing a new melody.

Could it be that my heavenly Father was still here?

Still reminding me of his faithfulness, his constant provision, his ever-present help?

Could it be that the same God who walked on water and calmed the raging sea, could calm the storm in me?

My eyes were directed upward and my faith was restored.

I was no longer lost in the field that once haunted me.

I was now in a field where the sweet aromas of wildflowers filled the air and nothing but beauty resided.

The blue sky was clear, as clear as the path set before me--directing me straight.

Straight towards the tree of life.

The path was promising, yet I could only see but a few steps ahead.

The light radiating from the cloak of my protector illuminated the way and thwarted the fears of darkness within me.

My unknown future was now in the palms of my navigator.

For the first time, I had found rest in you Oh, God.

And now I will forever find rest in you.

The Beauty of Nature Collection: A few of my sketches

Striving to be a Samwise Gamgee

"I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you."-Samwise Gamgee

I can't help but cry every time I watch this scene. Although I am emotional in just about every film these days, even commercials I might add, I believe this scene gives us all a legitimate reason to shed a tear or two. I have seen The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King countless times, but this evening as my little sisters and I cuddled up on the couch together, slurped our homemade strawberry/blueberry smoothies, and watched the close of perhaps one of the most epic and powerful trilogies of all time, I found myself especially moved by the words of Samwise Gamgee. "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you," he says.

There have been times in my life when I was the Frodo...unable to take another step...feeling as though no strength was left to complete the journey ahead of me. Other times, I have been the Samwise Gamgee...the go to friend...the prayer warrior...the warm embrace...the shoulder to cry upon.

I believe God has placed Samwise Gamgee's in our lives so that we are constantly reminded of the ultimate Samwise Gamgee of all--He himself. What an amazing friend we have in our heavenly Father!

One of the most profound things I have learned about true friendship is that God has not given us the responsibility to solve one another's problems in their entirety, but He has called us to direct one another to the One who can. We may feel as though we have little to no ability to carry one another up the mountains of life, but my philosophy is this: If a hobbit can do it, we certainly can as well!

May we intercede in prayer for our friends.
May we never stop loving and supporting those around us...understanding that time is limited.
May we understand that no encounter, no conversation, no friendship is coincidental.
May we always offer words of encouragement...never tearing down.
May we exchange smiles and warm embraces regularly.
May laughter fill the air.
May tears be shed with no hesitation.
May we be a rock...a constant friend in time of need.
May we direct all who come our way to the Cross.
May we be a light in a world full of darkness.
May we always strive to be a Samwise Gamgee.

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."--Ecclesiastes 4:9-10