July 3rd

"I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." Romans 7:15

here is what i realize
when i gaze in the my own

mirror of serised:

it's not those things which

would rank in just about

anyone's top ten list of

what we know we shouldn't do.

it is

hopelessness gnawing 

at my weary heart,

it is the seduction of those who

intentionally choose cruelty,

it is that deep longing

to just throw in the towel

when i should be wiping

the tears of another's struggles,

it is that lingering doubt

that maybe seeking justice,

doing kindness, and following

God really are outdated.

those are the sins crouching

on the porch outside my

soul.

(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

July 1st

"He will send from heaven and save me, 

    he will put to shame those who trample on me.
God will send forth his steadfast love 

   and his faithfulness." Psalm 57:3

when i want to hide under

the covers because it is just

so scary out there, send

those little birds who will sing

glad songs of hope.

when i need to go through

more physical therapy

because the knuckleheads

just refuse to stop pummeling

me with the bitter words, send

those gentle hands which

will ease the tight muscles

of my soul.

when it seems that i am

the only one who sees that

little glimmer of hope 

there in the eye of the old

folks who everyone discounts

simply because, well because

they are old, may i not turn

away but learn from those

faithful, not-so-ancient-as-we-think

lives.

(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman