Day 16/366

Pain, unseen by sight,
But just as real, grips
With all its might...
And drains dry
The well that is within.

Sadness, a melancholy cloud
That attempts to wrap up
Like a shroud
And whispers doubt
That no one else
Can hear.

Fear dries up every bit
Of courage and tempts
To stay put and sit
Out the risk of an
Open heart.

All creep in unannounced
Upon the soul and
Eagerly they pounce,
Their weight a heavy,
Lonely load.

But deep within you
Hear a Voice
That reminds to worship
Is a choice.
He offers strength
To lift a hand

In the sacrifice of praise
Trembling hands are raised
And victory has come
To those who love The Son

And trust...hope...cling
Despite the pain living brings.

All words property of Deena Peterson and not to be used without permission.

Day 15/366

Quiet.
No noise save breath.
Peace, comfort, sanctuary....

Two apart, one together.

 Satisfied.
Side by side.
A word. Or two.

 In a nod, or a glance.
Connect. Remain.

Quiet that speaks.
Love.

All words property of Deena Peterson and not to be used without permission.

Day 14/366

"So, I was sitting in Art class, minding my own business," Ellie began, when Kyle interrupted with a loud snort. "What, I was! Anyhoo, there I was, working on my fantastic art portfolio painting of a unicorn, you know the one, with the pastel rainbow tail--"...

Leslie twirled her hand. "Get to the point, Elle."

"Okay, okay. So, Jason Buttucks--"

"I've told you not to call him that, Ellie. It's Putocki," Leslie pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to allow Ellie to finish her rather long explanation.

"Yeah, okay. Anyhoo, he opens up his big, fat mouth--" Ellie paused, then quickly amended her story, "sorry, his rather large speaking orifice, and started teasing Rochelle."

"Is that the friend living with foster parents?" Jessica asked. Ellie nodded, and her sister sighed deeply. "This isn't going to be good, is it, El?"

Ellie's eyes welled with tears. "No, it's horrid. Horrid I tell you!"

"Save the dramatics, Ellinor, and cut to the chase," Kyle advised, noting his mother's stiff posture.
"Well...I can't really say what he said, but it was bad."

Leslie waited, then asked, "And that explains this mess all over you how?" She glared at the reddish puddle forming on the entryway tile, wondering if it was going to stain. "You know what, I don't care. It doesn't matter how you got this way. Get upstairs and into the shower now. Clothes and all."

"Mom, I have--"

"Yes, Ellinor, you HAVE to get that mess off of you and then come right back down here and scrub these tiles until they are spotless, do you hear me?" Leslie could feel her face flush and her head began to pound in rhythm with her heartbeat.

One lone tear fell down Ellie's pinkish red cheek, then she crossed her arms and her chin jutted out. "FINE! Just...FINE!"

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All Words property of Deena Peterson and are not to be used without permission.

Day 13/366

Deep sadness, to the marrow
Of the bone.
No hope for tomorrow....
Feeling lost and alone.
No understanding to be found.
Isolation pulls to the underground.
Wait.
Stop.
Take a breath, close eyes,
Whisper "do you see me?"
Surprise.
You are noticed, cared for
By the One always there for
You, the apple of His eye.
You, and don't even try
To understand why.
Just take it in,
In deep.
To the marrow.
Hang on for just one
More tomorrow.
Where He's the same.
The One who loves you.
The One who knows your name.

All words property of Deena Peterson and not to be used without permission.

Day 12/366

Pure
White
Untouched promise...

Then black
Blue Red
Streaking across the
Clean and white
Force
Pressure pointed scribble
Criss cross, tossing
Out plan after idea after hope and
Dream and goal
Until nothing
Remains but to begin
Again
Pure
White
Untouched.
All words property of Deena Peterson and not to be used without permission

Day 11/366

Out of my abundance I give to You.
Out of my lack I cling to things....

Because of Your blessing I offer to You.
Because of my sinfulness I withhold from You.

When I see Your face I hold my hands open.
When I see my life I fist my hands tightly.

Although I fall short in giving back to You,
You never withhold Your goodness from me.

In spite of my hardship I still seek Your face.
In spite of my failure You still pour out Your grace.

I lack comprehension of just Who You are.
You lack not one thing and You know who I am.

And You love me.

 And I love You.

All words property of Deena Peterson and not to be used without permission.

Day 10/366

"Ellinor Mabel Picketts, what in the world--!" was all Leslie could get out before she ran out of breath.  Would this day never end?

Ellie put her hands up, trying to block her mother's comments.  "Mom, Mom, wait.  Just wait."  Assured of a chance to explain, she switched into her dramatic persona.

"As you can see, I'm covered head to toe in this," she announced, gesturing toward her shirt and once-blue jeans.  "I assure you there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for my appearance."

"Can it, Shrimp," Kyle advised, his thundering footsteps down the staircase announcing his arrival.  "Mom's had a day."

Which was code for 'keep quiet and invisible'.  "I understand that, brother dear, but I can't undo what has already been done, eh?"  Ellie waved him off and attempted to continue her tale, only to be interrupted once again.

Hand up again, she cut her sister off quickly.  "Not now, Jess.  Please, not now."

Jessica's grin stretched even wider.  "Oh, no, little sister, please do continue.  It's just beginning to hold my attention."  She leaned on the banister, eager to get the gory details.

Ellie cleared her throat.  "As I was saying, I have a story to tell you, Mom."  Seeing no reaction, she continued.

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What kind of story has Ellinor concocted?  Is it the truth, or can Leslie not handle the truth?

Dunno.

Creatively Yours,

Deena

All words property of Deena Peterson and not to be used without permission.