Your Prayer Is Bound By Love

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Your Prayer Is Bound By Love

When darkness falls upon a soul you know,
And misconduct is the seed that they sow,
When actions pierce the better self you see,
And they depart from how they ought to be,
A higher call demands your swift response,
Beyond the simple bitterness of offense.

Specifically, when they project their strife,
Inflicting turmoil on another life,
When pain and discontent are thrust outside,
And unkindness is the path where they ride—
And when their negativity is aimed at you,
The target of the anger they accrue—
The time for action is not a fight,
But deep engagement in the spirit’s light.
The clear command is given from above:
You should pray. Your prayer is bound by love.

This is a prayer with purpose dual-faced,
For strength to face the hurt that is embraced.
Pray earnestly to guard your inner soul,
For wisdom, grace, and to achieve your goal:
To stand against injustice, firm and true,
Lest roots of bitterness take hold of you.
And simultaneously, with fervent heart,
Pray unceasingly to heal their broken part.

Petition for their spirit’s restoration,
For sight, repentance, and illumination.
Pray for their clarity, that the dark fog
That clouds their judgment might begin to jog.
May truth reveal the nature of their deed,
The bitter pain that plants the hurtful seed.

Your prayer’s an act of purity and might,
A divine request for what is good and right.
Pray that the toxic urge to hold offense,
All hatred, vengeance, and poor recompense,
Be fully purged from where your feelings lie.
Pray that true peace, the peace that reaches high,
That surpasses knowledge, may reside within,
A shield against the chaos and the sin.
And pray for grace to grant them full release,
To find compassion for their lack of peace,
Recognizing that the hurt they impart
Is but a symptom of their wounded heart.

You know the truth; denial finds no space,
A certainty of wrong you have to face.
They operate outside their healthy sphere,
Not as the self they ought to hold so dear.
You know they act as wounded, lost, and frail,
Beyond a doubt, they stumble and they fail.
Given this truth, this knowledge you possess,
Your duty is to fully intercess.
You need to pray.

This sacred work requires commitment strong,
Independent of who says that you are wrong.
You need to pray, though you are ostracized,
Misunderstood, or wholly unadvised.
You need to pray, though they who cause the woe
Discourage faith and bid your efforts slow.
Resolve within, in the core of your deep soul,
That you will never yield to their control.
Let your prayer be a sanctuary, ever near,
A tireless beacon, banishing all fear,
For your own soul, and for the troubled one
Whose inner struggle means the harm is done.

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My Mom’s Best Friend

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My son recently asked me about going to church more regularly. Realizing that I hadn’t been attending as often as I’d like, I started looking for a new church community after our move. I found a group that seems to be a good fit and plan to attend tomorrow morning. I’ve invited my daughter to join me, explaining how important the church community was to me, especially during a difficult time in my life.

My mom’s best friend,  Marjorie Erikson, was the pastor of our church. She was an incredibly supportive and amazing woman of Christ. Without her help, I’m not sure how we would have gotten through that period. The church truly became our family.

While talking to my daughter about church, I started thinking about Marjorie. She might not have realized how much she meant to my mom, but to my mom, she was her best friend. Marjorie was amazing and always there for us, even after my mom passed away. She attended my wedding and my daughter’s baptism.

I’ve been feeling emotional today because I just found out in 2016 that she passed away. She was always on my mind, and I wondered if she was still alive or if I could reach out to her family. I wanted to talk to someone who embodied the love and acceptance that God teaches us. She was a light in this world, someone who loved everyone unconditionally.

Her example motivates me to be a better person. While I’m not a pastor, I believe that we should focus on showing love and acceptance to others, rather than judging them or excluding them. That’s not what God wants.

I learned from Marjorie’s obituary that she had been battling cancer for over three decades. This made me realize why my mom and Margaret were so close. My mom also fought cancer, unfortunately passing away in 1990. It was incredibly painful to know that Marjorie had been dealing with this for so long, especially given how quickly my mom succumbed to the disease. It’s a testament to her strength that she was able to fight for 30 years. While it’s difficult to understand why things happen, I’m grateful for the time we had with her and the impact she had on our lives.

Even though it’s been years, I wrote an obituary for her family to see. I’m not sure if they will receive it since so much time has passed. I wanted to express my gratitude for her friendship and the impact she had on my life. I hope her family sees it and knows how much she meant to me. Her legacy is something that everyone should strive for. She was a truly remarkable person.

To Marjorie Erikson and her family,

I know it’s been a long time, and our lives have taken different paths. I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for everything you and Majorie did for my mom during her illness and after she passed. Your support was invaluable to me and my brother. Mom couldn’t have asked for a better friend than Marjorie. Your kindness and generosity will always be remembered. 

Rev. Marjorie Eriksen Faithfully served churches throughout New Jersey Rev. Marjorie Eriksen, 74, a retired, ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, went on to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, after battling cancer for three decades. A wake will be held at the funeral home of Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler, located at 106 Main St., Madison, N.J., on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., with additional hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on that same day. Marjorie’s funeral will be held the following day, Friday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m., at Morristown United Methodist Church, 50 South Park Place, Morristown, N.J. Marjorie was born in Staten Island, N.Y., on Dec. 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Her beloved parents, Lewis and Edith Gott, named her Marjorie, which means “Pearl.” Marjorie earned her B.A. from Hunter College in 1964 and her master of divinity degree from Drew Theological School in 1984. During her years of active ministry, Marjorie faithfully served churches in Gladstone, Mendham, Elizabeth, Bayonne, Mount Tabor, and Bloomingdale, N.J., prior to her retirement in 2012. Marjorie is survived by her beloved husband, Neil; her son, Christopher; her daughter-in-law, Rev. Jean Arlea Eriksen, who is also an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, and her sister, Judy, and her son, Gregory. Marjorie’s family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the ministry and missions of the Morristown United Methodist Church, where Marjorie assisted her friend and colleague in ministry, Rev. Dr. Brandon Cho, during her years of retirement.

Prayer

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Prayer

In hushed whispers or a heartfelt plea,
Prayer, a bridge unseen, yet meant to be.
It floats on faith, a silent, feathered thing,
To unseen ears, a message it can bring.

No padlock holds, no distance can confine,
It slips through walls, a lifeline so divine.
In sorrow’s depths, a flicker in the night,
A spark of hope, a gentle, guiding light.

For burdens shared are lighter, that is true,
But whispered prayers can mend a heart in two.
It fills the soul with whispered, calming grace,
A quiet strength to find a better space.

It holds no form, no color, nor a sound,
Yet in its wake, a peace can be found.
Like magic blooms, where worries used to cling,
A fragile hope, on whispered prayer’s wing.

So let it rise, this magic yet unseen,
A whispered word, a silent, trusting dream.
For prayer’s soft touch, though subtle and unknown,
Holds a power vast, to heal and make us whole.

A Shroud of Doubt

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Social media can be tough. Being unfriended can trigger anxiety, especially when making friends feels challenging. I sometimes feel awkward, and my children have mentioned autism, though it wasn’t well-understood when I was growing up (80s and 90s).

Recently, someone I rarely spoke to blocked me. The reason, “told a lot,” is unclear. Who’s gossiping? It’s tempting to dwell on it, but focusing on trust is more helpful.

My mental health has improved significantly over the past year. While trust can be difficult, I believe in showing kindness and love. It’s hard at times, my mind races with worry, but fear won’t control me.f

Making My Way

Anxiety whispers, a familiar tune,
Someone unfriended, feels out of moon.
Making friends, a challenge it’s true,
But I’m learning, and that’s something new.

Kids mentioned autism, a different time,
The 80s and 90s, when awareness wasn’t prime.
Regardless of labels, I’m growing each day,
Mental health journey, leading a better way.

This person who blocked me, we barely spoke,
Their reason unclear, a broken smoke.
Who gossiped? It’s tempting to chase,
But focusing on trust will set a good pace.

Love and kindness, my guiding light,
Be the bigger person, even in the night.
It’s hard, thoughts race, a whirlwind it seems,
But fear won’t control me, chasing better dreams.

Silent Whispers Turned to Dread

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Silent Whispers Turned to Dread

A tiny bud, a dream unseen,
Took root within, a verdant sheen.
My body bloomed, a vessel warm,
To nurture life safe from the storm.

But silent whispers turned to dread,
An empty echo where hope once tread.
The fragile bloom began to fade,
A hollow ache, a love betrayed.

Tears fall like rain on barren ground,
A symphony of sobs resound.
My arms reach out, a grasping plea,
For what I held, I cannot see.

The world moves on, a careless beat,
Oblivious to this crushing defeat.
But in my heart, a love remains,
A whispered name, etched in the rains.

Though grief may linger, sharp and cold,
A tiny seed in memory holds.
I’ll learn to dance with loss and pain,
And hope one day, love blooms again.

A Glimmer of Hope

I stand at the door knocking,
As I wait,
But there is no response.
Only darkness meets me there.
Only depression and isolation.

The absence of the warmth,
Of the friendship, I once knew.
I knock again, hoping for a response.
A sign of hope,
A glimmer of trust.
Anything I can hold onto when,
Nothing is given.

I see you from a distance,
And see you with my friends,
But why have I been pushed away?
Why do you shun me and forsake me?
Why and how could you forget me?
Am I that useless and unimportant in your eyes?
How is it that I can fight for you when no one fights for me?

A glimmer of hope is all I need.
Just open a crack to let the light shine in.

Let You Back In

The wound still aches, a whisper of your name,
A tethered scar, etched deep with burning shame.
You breached the wall I built with stones of trust,
Leaving me shattered, scattered into dust.

Yet, here I stand, with open arms outstretched,
An olive branch, a fragile peace confessed.
Not for your sake, but mine, this choice I make,
To shed the chains of anger, for my own heart’s sake.

Forgiveness, not forgetting, but a gentle shift,
To mend the broken pieces, with a hopeful lift.
It may be foolish, some may say I’m weak,
But holding onto hurt, only leaves my spirit bleak.

I invite you back, not to erase the wrong,
But face the truth, where we both may belong.
To understand the reasons, mend the fray,
And build a bridge, where trust might bloom someday.

This path I choose, is fraught with uncertainty,
But holding onto hate, keeps me a prisoner to thee.
So with a prayer, a whisper on the breeze,
I hope this choice of mine will bring me inner peace.

For even though you hurt me, deep and true,
The chance to heal resides within us two.
And though the scars may linger, ever faint,
I choose to rise above, and paint a future, unconstrained.

Birth After Miscarriage Free

I always wanted to be a mom. After my miscarriage, I thought it would never happen. But then, I realized that God had a wonderful plan for my life. I just had to wait and put my faith in Him.

Many women suffer the tremendous loss of a miscarriage. They often believe they are alone, but they are never alone. Rest assured that it is not anyone’s fault! It is simply a sad component of life. In every four pregnancies, one ends in a miscarriage.

I am sharing my story to help other women who have experienced the same pain I have. I want you to know that you are not alone. You are not to blame. And there is hope for the future. I hope that my story will give you hope and comfort. Please know that you are not alone. There is healing after miscarriage.

Birth After Miscarriage

Free on January 30th until February 3!

I always wanted to be a mom. After my miscarriage, I thought it would never happen. ut then, I realized that God had a wonderful plan for my life. I just had to wait and put my faith in Him.

Many women suffer the tremendous loss of a miscarriage. They often believe they are alone, but they are never alone. Rest assured that it is not anyone’s fault! It is simply a sad component of life. In every four pregnancies, one ends in a miscarriage.

I am sharing my story to help other women who have experienced the same pain I have. I want you to know that you are not alone. You are not to blame. And there is hope for the future. I hope that my story will give you hope and comfort. Please know that you are not alone. There is healing after miscarriage.

Free From January 30th until February 3rd.

Birth After Misscarriage

I always wanted to be a mom. After my miscarriage, I thought it would never happen. But then, I realized that God had a wonderful plan for my life. I just had to wait and put my faith in Him.

Many women suffer the tremendous loss of a miscarriage. They often believe they are alone, but they are never alone. Rest assured that it is not anyone’s fault! It is simply a sad component of life. In every four pregnancies, one ends in a miscarriage.

I am sharing my story to help other women who have experienced the same pain I have. I want you to know that you are not alone. You are not to blame. And there is hope for the future. I hope that my story will give you hope and comfort. Please know that you are not alone. There is healing after a miscarriage.

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