Blessed With Honorable Men

This semester, I have been taking a peace and social justice/religion class on nonviolence. Sexual harassment was brought up, and it got me thinking hard afterward. Sexual harassment is a horrible thing, no matter what some may say. It's amazing what peer pressure can do, though. I have been sexual harassed before, but statements like, "Where's your sense of humor?" "You're so innocent," and, "My head is so much deeper in the gutter than yours," pressured me to stay quiet. 

I came to terms with what the above situation was and became overwhelmed with gratefulness that things are so much different at my college. The men at my school are truly honorable. So, I wrote this poem. 

Because they are watchful

I don't walk in fear.

They keep their eyes open

So that I can blink.

Their respect for me

Means my good night's rest.

I don't need both mace and knife

By my side during the day,

And at night, they replace my weapons.

Their presence scares the shadows.

They don't have to hold my hand,

Though an arm is offered in the cold.

The unskypable silence is all I need

To know they'll be soldiers for me.

Daddy amassed an army here

Of men who love purity.

Every woman is a precious jewel to them.

To taint us would be a crime.

With a solemn vow they leave unspoken

They watch with keen eyes.

Quiet as lambs, they become our friends.

Alert as hawks, they listen for danger.

Fearless as lions, they put our safety before theirs. 

Ladies, if you have men in your life who protect you, be grateful. You are immensely blessed. If you don't know if they protect you, think about this: Do they walk you back to your dorm when it's dark? Do they ask about how you're doing? Do they quietly watch someone who potentially has a crush on you when they think you're not looking? Watch and see. You might be surprised how many are protecting you. 

Favorite People: A post inspired by a friend

I have a friend who made a post about her favorite people. These people inspired her in godly ways, such as enthusiasm over the little things. I decided to make a similar post, going from furthest back to newest.

This man, has known me since before I was born. In fact, he knew a little about me before I was past egg stage. He has been friends with my dad since his senior year of high school.

 He is like an uncle to me. Growing up, he would read to the children in our families with a voice they could put on the radio for bed-time stories.He has a sense of humor which I have enjoyed my whole life. It's silly, but it continues to create wonderful memories. 

Next up is the one peer who has known me since before I was born. We "officially" met while our mothers were pregnant. . 

Afterwards, we would see each other every year or so. We have never lived in the same state, but have maintained a friendship throughout the years. She is the closest thing to a sister that I haveThis young lady's laugh, smile, and determination make me thing of the joys which God has blessed me with. 

The next in line is a whole family of lovely people. This family was a source of help which no one else could supply. The father is laid back, never raises his voice, but makes his point clear. The mother is vibrant and outgoing. The daughter is much like her mother, yet more of a social

butterfly. She is two days older than me, and is the first person I have ever connected with immediately. The son is steadfast and a highly talented musician. (You should hear him on the fiddle.) The reason this family is so dear to my heart is they lead my family in training to go overseas. Without them, the experience wouldn't have been the same. 

This man unknowingly taught me the beauty of going with the flow. He seems like a regular Joe, but he has had many an adventure in his travels. Some of his stories leave me wondering, "How have you survived this long?" He is a filmmaker and recently won several awards for his documentary "Circle the Wagen," an adventure which led him to the discovery of a Volkswagen underground. Every time I see him, it's on the opposite side of the earth than when last we met. 

Since I reached college, I have been abundantly blessed with friends. However, these people are the ones who leave me in wonder of my Heavenly Daddy. 

This wonderful young lady I like to call "Frodo." She calls me "Sam." We go on little adventures here and there, share stories from our times overseas, and vent to one another. Sometimes we simply do homework in the same room, "just existing together," as she says. It's a comfort which she greatly enjoys. Frodo has shown me that sometimes words don't need to be said in order to understand that God's presence is in people's hearts. 

This incredibly beautiful family leads the Christian college group I attend. They are young, but still more experienced than the rest of us. As you can see in the photo, they have a 1-year-old son. What you can't see is that they have a little girl on the way. Their love for God and for one another is beautifully expressed by their commitment to each other and to us. 

And last, but not least...

This young man is a wonderful expression of Christ in my life. Though he has a child-like feistiness (as shown above), he also has a very adult level of wisdom. He has a tender heart which cannot keep tears back when it sees sadness, sees Christ in the unusual, or thinks of Heaven. I have cried with him over simply discussing what Heaven will be like. He is my college brother. 

These are not all of my favorite people, but they are at the top of the list. So many people have come and gone from my life who have shown me what God is like. 

When I see these people whom my Heavenly Daddy has placed in my life, I realize how truly blessed I am. I don't deserve to be this blessed. This is why it's a good thing that life isn't fair. Our Father gives us good things, and among those good things are people who inspire us to look to Him. I thank Him for them and know that there are still more to come. 

Poetry out of Joy

For the first time in a very very long time, I wrote a poem about something happy. I use poetry as a release of emotion, and so many times it's a stress reliever. However, the other day I couldn't contain my joy over seeing two friends whom I hadn't seen in months.

My life is brilliant.
My life is grand.
I saw a Jordan
And a Dan.
I'm up in the sky
My feet over trees.
I flew up there
With the greatest of ease.
"Why does she fly?"
You ask and ponder.
My spirit went up there
Because with theirs, I wandered.

I must confess that at the time I had the song, "You're Beautiful," by James Blunt in my head, and thus the first line was stolen. However, the rest is all original.