Star & Bloom are the haiku prompt words for the weekly haiku challenge at Ronovan Writes. My first thought was of the sun, one of the stars of the universe. It is very hot and bright. No one could survive if we lived too close to it. The naked eye cannot behold it without being damaged or blinded. Yet without it we would die. The earth would be too cold. It’s pretty amazing that God put the earth in just the right place to enjoy the benefits of the sun.
Star of the Daytime
Star of the daytime
Sun blooms with a brilliance to
Blind the naked eye
For the second haiku my thoughts were drawn at first to a dancer. Maybe she has worked hard all her life and finally is able to perform in her dream role. Taking that thought I broadened it to life itself. I picture how life might be if we don’t allow people or things to keep us from following our dreams.
Follow Your Dream
Following her dream
With untold joy she dances
A star in full bloom
Restrictions and Letting Go
When we are growing up oftentimes there are a lot of restrictions placed on our lives. Some of them are good and are needed to protect us, but there comes a time when parents need to let go.
We teach our children the best we can, but we can’t always make decisions for them. As they grow into adulthood we need to gradually give them the reins. We have to be careful that we don’t place our dreams on them with expectations they may not want to meet.
Be Available
On the other hand, we still need to be available for advice or just to listen when they need to talk. They may go in a different direction than we want, but we still need to love and encourage them. Sometimes we can actually hinder if we push too much in one way or another.
I believe the best thing I do for my kids is pray for them, asking God to watch over and guide. Things don’t always seem to go the way we wish they would, but we can still trust God to work in our lives and those of our children. Sometimes our lives are even better than we imagined.
Bloom Right Where You Are
For my third haiku I was inspired by a rainbow and the thought that we can be shining stars right where we are. We just need to be ourselves and use what we have. No fancy equipment is needed.
Be a shining star
Like a rainbow in the sky
Bloom right where you are
We Can All Become Stars
Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
so that you may become blameless and pure,
“children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
as you hold firmly to the word of life.
(Philippians 2:14-16 NIV)
I’m linking up at #ronovanwrites, #TeaAndWord, #TestimonyTuesday, #TellHisStory, #RealTalkTuesday, #InspireMeMonday, #porchstories, #CoffeeforYourHeart, #HeartEncouragement, #TuneInThursday, #LMMLinkup, #DanceWithJesus, #FreshMarketFriday
Dear Gayl,
I love your Haiku this week! And I am so glad that you used your rainbow photo from last week, it is amazing. What a precious Scripture to go with that thought–God has a place for us to shine–right where we has place us. Thank you for sharing these touches of beauty today! Blessings, Love and Hugs to you!
Thanks Bettie! I’m so glad you like them. Yes, I was surprised when that rainbow appeared and had to snap a photo.
Blessings, love and hugs to you, too, my dear friend! xo
Love the scripture you picked out to illustrate Bloom Where You Are! Perfect choice!
A blameless person in today’s generation will certainly shine like a star in the midst of the darkness!
Thanks, Jerralea! I pray God will enable us to shine for Him in this world where we live.
Blessings to you and thanks for visiting! 🙂
THIS: “Things don’t always seem to go the way we wish they would, but we can still trust God to work in our lives and those of our children. Sometimes our lives are even better than we imagined.”
Thanks, Tara. Sometimes it’s hard to trust, but God always knows best and will accomplish his purposes.
Blessings to you!
Thank you for sharing the poems, but also for the “connective tissue” of the post that gives us your thoughts alongside the poetic words.
Blessings to you, Gayl.
Dear Michele,
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m glad you stopped by.
Blessings right back to you!
Your poems are beautiful and your parenting advice is so good. I know that as my oldest starts to grow into his own person I have to let go and let him make choices, but it isn’t easy to do. Especially when I can see what the best choice is.
Thank you, Amanda! I’m glad you enjoy the poems. 🙂 My parenting advice comes from learning and making mistakes as each of mine grew up. It’s definitely not easy to let go esp. when you can see what is best.
After they become adults, they still need us, just not in exactly the same way. That’s when I really need wisdom. So far I have a great relationship with all my kids even though we don’t agree on everything. I pray for wisdom to know when to give advice and when to just listen and pray.
Thanks for much for commenting and for your encouragement. Blessings to you, dear Amanda! xo
Beautiful Gayl! “No fancy equipment is needed.” Love that. xoxo
Thank you, Mandy! Your comment encourages me. 🙂
Blessings to you! xoxo
Love your haikus this week!
Thanks so much, Carol! Hope you are having a good week.
Blessings to you! xo
Gayl, I enjoyed your post. Your haikus are lovely. I am also attempting to find the balance in parenting an adult child and agree with you 🙂 I’m visiting from Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart.
Thank you Kathleen! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Sometimes it’s a challenge, isn’t it? Finding the balance in parenting an adult child. But God will give wisdom.
Blessings to you and thanks for visiting!
You write such beautiful haiku, Gayl. It’s not something I try very often, but I should attempt it again. You pump so much encouragement into so few words. That’s a gift.
Oh, thank you so much, Lisa! I appreciate your encouraging comments. Haiku is a challenge but it is also fun. Yes, you should try again. 🙂 You might surprise yourself.
Blessings to you, dear sister! Have a great weekend.
Beautiful and inspiring trio of haiku, Gayl. I enjoyed your post. Thank you! 😀 xx
Thank you, Vashti! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Blessings and hugs!! xo