Burdensome gifts
Gift of self
Why is it that the things we say, make, or do never hold the same weight for others as they do for ourselves?
What I wouldn’t give for self-forgetfulness, for not caring who I am or what I do.
But being a self always results in a level of self-consciousness that can’t be erased.
I’m tempted to name this poem “the burden of self” but I must stop and think and retrain my brain:
This is not a burden, or, not only a burden— this is a gift.
Being alive, a self, a selfish self is a burdensome gift.
It helps if we learn to laugh at ourselves and try our utmost to look past ourselves
(beyond and through and over ourselves) and meet people where they are.
How wonderful to hold another’s self for a while and see what life is like through another self’s eyes.
This is my cup
“Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42, NLT
“... this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.” Isaiah 58:6, NLT
“If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.” Matthew 10:38, NLT
To untie the bonds of slavery, Comfort the lonely,
And care for the poor. This is My cup.
Will you drink it?
To free My people from the power of sin, Rescue them from the evil one,
And seek truth, love, and justice. This is My cup.
Will you drink it?
To die a martyr’s death,
Lay down my life for those who hate Me, And show love to my enemies.
This is My cup.
Will you drink it?
To stand on the words of God, Submit to Him humbly,
Praying, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” This is My cup.
Will you drink it?
To go into all the world, Make disciples,
And be filled with the Spirit. This is My cup.
Will you drink it?
To join the Father in Heaven And dine at the Marriage supper of the Lamb. This is My cup.
Will you drink it?
These poems were originally published in Ruth’s poetry collection, Gently Planted, which was published in April 2021. Reprinted with permission. Find more of her writings at ruthmariepaterson.ca.
Words by Ruth Marie Paterson