Prayer

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:12-13)

It's been over a week now that I've spent immersed in the learning about God. To be honest it already feels much longer. With a course condensed into barely two weeks, we spend all our time researching and reading the bible. Although it seems we find time to play volleyball and frisbee enjoying the heat while we can. The next time we're on campus I have a feeling it will be significantly colder.

This verse has been on my mind all week. As I am put into new situations I find myself constantly murmuring this. It has been key to the good times I've already had being here, and the attitude I've been able to keep. So far I am really excited about all the growth that will happen this year, already I have realized how little about life and God that I know.

So this blog is going to be here for those of you who want to hear about what I am learning, and for myself to track what I've been learning. I'll post essays that I write on the essay page, and post photos when I take pictures. On this main page I will share thoughts and prayers. Feel free to comment or send me an e-mail if anything catches your eye.

This week I've been feeling extremely restless and so my prayers have been focused on settling my mind. I have a lot of work ahead of me even tonight, and a final exam and an assignment due on Thursday. Our last class for that test is Thursday morning! I hope that I am able to the best I can without stressing myself out about all the things to do.

-Ana-Maria

Jaws Of God

Oh God,
why do you make
eyes so delicate
and pain so real?
Oh, the weight
when you cracked me open
with your jaw
because there was a time
when I asked to die
and you skinned me alive
you ironed my
hands flat and my touch was gone,
I asked that dry men would be gone
and you fished them out.

You pulled me up from below
and showed me how to shout
and blow air from my
lungs fluttering
like small broken wings
under somebody's thumb.

And day
how you go,
you make a fool out of me
I know how to waste
hours
and fall for
a night with no moon
what could I
say to you?
You bottled me up blue
and shattered me
glass on concrete
Oh thunder,
take me, shape me
make me something new.

And I laugh at
my face before
and my hands that reached into
honeycombs
until wasps stung my throat
Oh love,
take your time
I have missed you
electricity running
kind hands holding my own
finally
I have forgotten your
song
and that hum of disaster
and that season of smoke
oh devil, we're through.