Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
MIDDLE
(HOPE*WRITERS INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #5)
Help me to be in the middle, God,
as a conduit of your love.
Help me to be an advocate in the middle of…
injustice and equality
racism and unity
oppression and freedom
exclusion and welcome
Help me to be a provider in the middle of…
hunger and supply
poverty and plenty
illness and answers
fear and refuge
Help me to be a comforter in the middle of…
loneliness and love
grief and joy
hurt and healing
despair and hope
Help me to be “in the middle,” God,
with your love poured in, poured out.
This is the fifth of a weeklong Instagram Writing Challenge from @hopewriters! Today’s prompt is MIDDLE. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun. Photo by Karen.
REMEMBER
(HOPE*WRITERS INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #4)
For Sharon
I may always resent how she suddenly died,
but today I am thankful she lived.
I wish we could talk and laugh and confide,
but today I am grateful we did.
I am missing her more as the years go on,
but today I am keeping her near.
I grieve in her absence; I know she is gone
but today I am sensing her here.
I will never forget the tears and the pain,
but today I will rise above.
And maybe the heartache will always remain…
but today I remember the love.
This is the fourth of a weeklong Instagram Writing Challenge from @hopewriters! Today’s prompt is REMEMBER. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun. Photo taken by my husband Jim on the West Fork River, Roanoke, WV.
STORY
(HOPE*WRITERS INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #3)
Keep rewriting my story, God.
Under the light of your love, I can read it anew.
I find that all of the chapters have been renamed.
You have rewritten…
“Mistakes I Have Made” into “Lessons I Have Learned”
“Missteps and Detours” into “New Paths Discovered”
“Success and Victory” into “God’s Graciousness”
“Wounds and Hurts” into “Hopes and Healings”
“Trials and Tears” into “Peace and Provision”
“Surprising Joy” into “Deep Gratitude”
You have taken all of my ordinary
and shown me the extraordinary of you.
Thank you.
This is the third of a weeklong Instagram Writing Challenge from @hopewriters! Today’s prompt is STORY. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun. Photo taken by Karen at Valley Park, Hurricane, WV.
REFRESH
(HOPE*WRITERS INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #2)
REFRESH
A Prayer
Refresh my memory; but help me to see
the deeper meaning it holds for me.
Refresh my soul; but I need your embrace
as you perfect with correcting grace.
Refresh my spirit; that with joy renewed
I may learn to see your larger view.
Refresh my days; that with strength unabated
I may serve every purpose for which I’m created.
Refresh my heart; that I may become
an earthly example of our heavenly home.
This is the second of a weeklong Instagram Writing Challenge from @hopewriters! Today’s prompt is REFRESH. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun. Photo taken by Karen on the Jenny Lake trail, Grand Tetons.
VOICE
(HOPE*WRITER INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE #1)
VOICE – A PRAYER
Though I cannot sing with the voice of an angel –
lilting and lovely and pure,
Let my voice ring out with the genuine joy
found in love that is certain and sure.
Though I cannot shout with the voice of an orator –
powerful, persuasive, and strong,
Let my voice speak up with your message of hope,
of a world where we bond and belong.
Though I cannot speak with the voice of a poet –
articulate, cadenced, and deep,
Let my voice softly whisper with tender care
of the goodness you promise to keep.
Though I cannot teach with the voice of an expert –
assuring and helpful and wise,
Let my voice contribute the wisdom received
when I let you be the one who supplies.
This is the first of a weeklong Instagram writing challenge from hope*writers! Today’s prompt is VOICE. Follow me (@soulsearchingkwicker) or #hopewriterlife on Instagram and join in the fun.
HOPE*WRITERS INSTAGRAM WRITING CHALLENGE
This week, my blog posts will be a bit different – I’m going to do the Hope*Writers Instagram Writing Challenge! Each day, I will post an Instagram photo and brief message according to the given prompt, and I will share these here as well.
If you’re on Instagram, you’re welcome to join in the fun, or follow me @ soulsearchingkwicker.
HOPE
Hope is that patient waiting in the darkness…
for new and glorious joy to be revealed.
(Photo taken by Karen in Hurricane, WV. May 2021)
PERSPECTIVE
Is every obstacle an opportunity to reflect Your light?
(Photo by Karen at Ritter Park in Huntington, WV)
While I currently work on a new blog series, I am sharing my Instagram photos and brief thoughts. My regular posts will begin again soon. You can follow me on Instagram @ soulsearchingkwicker.
SIMPLICITY
There is profound beauty in simplicity,
there is deep joy in the ordinary,
there is great love in kindness.
The wildflowers were picked by my granddaughter for her mommy.
(Photo taken by Karen)
REFLECTION
Let the light of my love
be a reflection of Yours.
I cannot be the blaze of your glory…
but let me be a soft beacon
that glows in the cool morning dawn.
Photo by Karen in Hurricane, WV
Simply Soul Searching 