The Stark Reality of Me
Contrast:
Rich and Poor
Clean and Dirty
Set apart and Cast aside
Old and New
Worthless and Valuable
Aimless and Purposeful
Who am I?
Daniel son of Sheri & Jimmy.
Middle class, by American standards.
I try to stay tidy, but my definition of clean doesn’t always match my roommates.
I’m not really a loner, I like to belong and be a part, but I’ve felt rejected by people at times.
Don’t ask why. I have, and it only leads to tears. Trust me, if you can trust people.
I’m still young. 23. Children disagree, but what do they know?
I contribute to society. I try anyway. I’ve voted. For president that’s one of approximately one hundred and twenty seven million thirty three thousand nine hundred and twenty who went to the polls. Pretty big deal.
I have some dreams for my life. It’d be nice to get married one day. Maybe land a good job. There are things I’m passionate about, but if I’m honest with myself, most of the time, I don’t even know where to start.
What am I saying?
Compare.
No. I don’t fit in a box. I’m not one extreme or the other in most cases on almost any issue or topic.
I’m not
Rich or Poor
Clean or Dirty
Set apart or Cast aside
Old or New
Worthless or Valuable
Aimless or Purposeful
Or is that just what I tell myself? Compared to what or Who?
Reflecting… Does it matter?
… Do I matter?
Hmm.
God spoke to me once.
He said I matter the world to Him. and so do they.
The End
I wrote this poem today. I also performed it here at a local poetry slam with my teammates here in Lebanon. So many people sharing what’s on their hearts, the good, the bad and the downright painful. Before knowing the Lord, I was a victim trapped in a mindset of my own creation. Twisted by lies the enemy has spoken to me my whole life and that I’d believed taking on as my identity. This poem is a summary of my journey. At least a part of it. It’s a journey of continued discovery. Most of all, I cling to what God has spoken. The truth is we all matter to Him. So much that He poured Himself out to make us whole. He is ready and willing to mend our hearts and put together our broken pieces if only we would surrender the pieces over to Him.
God Bless,
-Daniel
