MJ Reflections: Remember The Gift

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Remember The Gift

As we begin this season of waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I would like to offer a series of poems and reflections based on the weekly themes of Advent - the first theme being HOPE. The following poem was published in an Advent devotional booklet for my church this year which was written entirely by its members. I am pleased to share it with you here. I fully respect and honor the diversity of beliefs that make up our colorful world - a world that is filled with beautiful and unique individuals, all a part of God’s magnificent Creation. No matter what your beliefs, I think most will agree that there is a power which is greater than ourselves at work in the universe - a power grounded in a great love. My heart extends its warmest wishes to you during this season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love!

Remember the Gift
Holy Spirit come, fill me with your love
wash over me, enlighten me, strengthen my belief in Thee
I need discipline to travel, this mystery of life to unravel
I vow to give my best, take time to nurture my faith
let it simmer while I wait
‘til Your guidance reveals which path to take

God of love and compassion
through my trials you have been my constant companion
but my patience is tested when it’s time for a rest
in my prayers I seek answers to my questions
You don’t always lead where I want to go
Your timing is not always mine
please give me the courage to believe what you know

My Creator,

You gave me fire in my spirit

then said, don’t fear it!

be bold, be brave, share the love which I gave you

it is true, it is right

it’s your beauty, your passion, your own special light!

So, why must I wait, this flame to embrace?

Remember the Gift, the sweet Kiss of Love

Magical Child sent to earth from above

your soul to save from its own mistakes

His arms outstretched, ready to embrace

awaiting your surrender to God’s amazing grace!

The Gift accepted, my soul awakens

this waiting, this nurturing reveals the message

Peace, Love and Hope abide within each soul

the Gift cannot be denied

I must strive to be God’s Glow

a voice of Hope to a world in need of Love

11/21/10

8 comments:

CharDecember 13, 2010 at 3:44 AM
Lisa said (via facebook):

Lovely and loving, Charlene. How interesting that you composed it on Nov 21, 2010 - the same date I completed my Blessing for Neverland. We both seem to be striving to be "a voice of Hope", as all of us are, each with our own Gift to give... I recognize the image of the hand delivering the light of God, as I used it in one of my Notes recently as well. The picture of the shimmering tree is magical.
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CharDecember 13, 2010 at 3:46 AM
Linh said (via facebook):

"The Gift accepted, my soul awakens
this waiting, this nurturing reveals the message
Peace, Love and Hope abide within each soul
the Gift cannot be denied
I must strive to be God’s Glow
a voice of Hope to a world in need of Love"

See, dear, The Gift is one way of telling us that He is there.
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CharDecember 13, 2010 at 3:47 AM
Jan said (via facebook):

Ahhh! Wonderful, as always, dear Char. You are a poet fersure!
Jan
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CharDecember 13, 2010 at 3:48 AM
Mabi said (via facebook):

Oh it´s so beautiful, Charlene...Thank you so much...I hope my dear God and Father bless this world and all of us...
With Peace, Love and Hope. Kisses to you. ♥
God bless Michael and his kids too...
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CharDecember 13, 2010 at 3:54 AM
Candy said (via email):

My dear Charlene,
your poem is so very beautiful!!!! I love it! Thank you for sharing it with us.

I love the pictures you posted as well.

Yes, we should never forget the Gift of God to us.
May all people meet Jesus and let him enter in their hearts.

God Bless you and your family my dear friend.

I love you,
Candy
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CharDecember 15, 2010 at 4:06 PM
Elmira said (via facebook):

Wonderful, wonderful! You truly have a gift for words. I love to read your poems as the words resonate wthin my own heart. Thank you!
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evaJanuary 1, 2011 at 9:19 AM
its sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
wonderful.healing my wonded heart and soul.
i love you so much,i love michael most....
god bless you..............
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CharJanuary 2, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Thank you, dear Eva! I'm sooooooooooooooooo happy you found healing here for your heart and soul! God Bless You my friend,
Charlene
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Welcome to MJ Reflections!

Thank you for taking the time to visit and read some of my reflections and poems. This site is inspired by the life and spirit of Michael Jackson and is dedicated to his loving memory.

My hope is that you will find a little bit of inspiration in these pages, an extra boost of light for the journey. A journey many of us have been blessed to find ourselves on because of this one amazing human being who shared his heart and soul and genius with us for 50 years.

Following his death in the summer of 2009 I felt compelled, as many of you have, to learn more about Michael, the man, the child prodigy, the musical genius who provided the soundtrack to nearly every decade of our lives, the mysterious 'recluse' about whom much had been written by the media, the magnetic and electrifying entertainer who drew millions to his concerts all around the world, the iconic superstar who could not be seen in public without creating mass frenzy, and most of all, the global humanitarian who gave selflessly from all that he had been given in order to make a difference in the world.

What I have discovered on this God-directed path has had a profound effect on me personally and spiritually. It has changed my life forever. The Gift I have received is the awareness of Michael's brilliance, the immense light which radiated from deep within and was the essence of who he was. His brilliance cast a glaring spotlight on all the darkness in this world, opening our eyes to the realities of the injustice and suffering happening all around us - things we turned a blind eye to because we believed they had nothing to do with us. I whole-heartedly believe that Michael's purpose for being here was to show us the stark and ugly reality of our own indifference as a human race.

God's messages of love, peace, unity, justice, and caring for our planet and the children, were all intended to garner the attention of as many of us as possible through this most unexpected and unconventional spiritual messenger named Michael Joseph Jackson. When you think about it, what better way than through the universal language of music, a medium that would reach millions of young people all around the world? After 4 decades of entertaining us, Michael's messages have reached multiple generations, including a new generation of "fans" since his death. When God decides to send a powerful message, our Creator doesn't mess around! And this one took 50 years to gestate... God also has infinite patience!

The sheer number of people whose hearts and lives have been affected by Michael Jackson's presence on this earth is astounding and will undoubtedly never be matched. What a tremendous difference he made! Those of us who have received this precious Gift must carry his messages of love and peace always. It's the only way to effect the change that is so urgently needed. It's up to us. The Gift must be shared!

Sometimes, for me, the responsibility that goes with receiving this Gift feels so huge and daunting. I get a little shaky and wonder if I can really do all that I've been called to do. From what I've heard, many others have felt the same way at times. This is why we must support each other with our love and light - do everything we can to lift up and encourage one another on this journey.

We each have our own gifts which we bring to this mission - gifts that have been awakened or newly discovered since Michael's passing. Many of us have been called to use these gifts to share the message and inspire others. That, my friends, is what this blog is all about. If you are touched by any of my writings or if you have a reflection of your own to share, I invite you to leave a comment, share the blog with your friends, and say a prayer that others may also be inspired by the words that are written here. I welcome any and all comments that are given in the spirit of love and respect.

May God bless you on your path to making a difference in this world!

With LOVE and HOPE for a better tomorrow,

~ Charlene ~

Magical Child

Once there was a child and he was free
Deep inside, he felt the laughter
The mirth and play of nature's glee
He was not troubled by thoughts of hereafter
Beauty, love was all he'd see

He knew his power was the power of God
He was so sure, they considered him odd
This power of innocence, of compassion, of light
Threatened the priests and created a fright
In endless ways they sought to dismantle
This mysterious force which they could not handle

In endless ways they tried to destroy
His simple trust, his boundless joy
His invincible armor was a shield of bliss
Nothing could touch it, no venom, no hiss

The child remained in a state of grace
He wasn't confined in time or place
In technicolor dreams, he frolicked and played
While acting his part, in Eternity he stayed

Soothsayers came and fortunes were told
Some were vehement, others were bold
In denouncing this child, this perplexing creature
With the rest of the world he shared no feature
Is he real? He is so strange
His unpredictable nature knows no range
He puzzles us so, is he straight?
What's his destiny? What's his fate?

And while they whispered and conspired
Through endless rumors to get him tired
To kill his wonder, trample him near
Burn his courage, fuel his fear
The child remained just simple, sincere

All he wanted was the mountain high
Color the clouds, paint the sky
Beyond these boundaries, he wanted to fly
In nature's scheme, never to die

Don't stop this child, he's the father of man
Don't cross his way, he's part of the plan
I am that Child, but so are you
You've just forgotten, just lost the clue

Inside your heart sits a Seer
Between his thoughts, he can hear
A melody simple but wondrously clear
The music of life, so precious, so dear

If you could for one moment know
This spark of creation, this exuisite glow
You would come and dance with me
Kindle this fire so we could see
All the children of the Earth
Weave their magic and give new birth
To a world of freedom with no pain
A world of joy, much more sane

Deep inside, you know it's true
Just find that child, it's hiding in you.

~ Michael Jackson, Dancing the Dream, 1992

Circle of Life

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
Theres more to be seen than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

Some say eat or be eaten
Some say live and let live
But all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give

In the circle of life
Its the wheel of fortune
Its the leap of faith
Its the band of hope
'Til we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life

Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars

There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

In the circle of life
Its the wheel of fortune
Its the leap of faith
Its the band of hope
'Til we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life

Lyrics by Elton John