March 5, 2007

By Lesley-Anne Evans

 

 

My Daily Bread

 

I donned my apron,

floured the pan,

wiped flour from my nose, 

then in the pan I placed the dough, 

and left it while it rose.

 

A little yeast, a little time, and 

the dough began to rise

It was round and plump and beautiful.

It was heaven to my eyes

The oven beeped its readiness

the temp was right on track,

and so I placed my lovely bread

upon the middle rack. 

 

The bread rose higher

as it browned and baked

causing my own hopes to rise.

I envisioned thick warm buttered bread

with jam upon each slice.

 

I dreamed, my hunger deepened

I planned great feasts in my head.

And all the while my hungry heart

cried out for more than bread.

 

Then suddenly, an aroma met

my nostrils with a shock

for in my rush to bake my bread

I had not set the clock.

 

I opened up the oven door

and there to my dismay

instead of bounty in my pan

was darkness and decay.

 

I looked again

and shook my head

perplexed and in distress

for now I knew beyond a doubt

that I couldn’t eat this mess.

 

“Thou shalt not live by bread alone,”

spoke a small voice in my mind.

Then I thanked the Lord for

burnt offerings 

of bread and other kinds.

 

And then I sat and ate the Word,

and chewed on it a while.

Digested and internalized

this bread did satisfy. 

 

 

Daughter of the King

 

One day she wakes up broken

weary, of the life she’s come to know.

She used to feel she had potential

now all she feels is old.

Her eyes have lost their brightness

and her soul is growing cold.

Nobody seems to notice

Nobody but the Lord...

 

and He whispers....

 

You are lovely

You are precious

You are my delight, for you are daughter of the King.

Leave unworthy

In the ashes,

lift your eyes and see yourself through me.

Cherished and beloved one, be free.

Perfect, precious daughter of the King.

 

Still she looks for answers

to feed a hunger she can’t name.

The black and white of childhood

is lost in shades of grey.

To find herself she thinks

that she must give herself away.

She prays in desperation

to hold on another day,

 

and He calls her...

 

You are lovely

You are precious

You are my delight, for you are daughter of the King.

Leave unworthy

In the ashes,

lift your eyes and see yourself through me.

Cherished and beloved one, be free.

Perfect, precious daughter of the King.

 

and she hears him...

 

I am lovely,

I am precious,

I have been redeemed and been made clean.

Through your love I’ve been made worthy,

in your love and grace I am made free.

I belong to you,

because you’ve chosen me.

I’m daughter of the King.

 

 

ninetyandnine.com

 

© 2007, Lesley-Anne Evans

 

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Lesley-Anne Evans is an inspirational writer, living in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. She is blessed with a faithful husband, three fun-loving children, and one oversized, bad dog!  Lesley-Anne writes to share hope and small graces with those God puts in her path.