Thursday, August 2, 2012

Keep the Faith


















©1981 by Susan Noyes Anderson

Sometimes I'd like to be
the type
who lives my life
without a backward glance––
and I would dance
through days
unburdened, fancy-free.
Instead, I'm me.
You know, the one
who counts the cracks
on every wall
and then recounts them
backwards
lest it fall
(knowing full well the chances are
it will).
Still, I have moments
when I just
let go––
then I stop counting cracks
and count on
faith.
You ask if the wall falls?
Surprise.
It's safe.

I wrote this poem 31 years ago, when faith was a little harder to come by. I don't count the cracks as often as I used to, but that doesn't mean I never count them. And every now and then, that wall looks to me like it's going to crumble right down to the ground.

What hasn't changed is this: At the heart of me, I still know it won't fall.
What has changed? I'm a lot less surprised about that.

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36 comments:

jfb57 said...

What a thought provoking post! I love the line about not being so surprised now.

Unknown said...

we should keep our faith otherwise we couldn't live in peace. thanks for this post, Sue. I love it!

Amiko

Brian Miller said...

i think in many ways our doubts help us find faith...i am not afraid of doubt because in a sense it implies faith....

Unknown said...

Letting go and letting God is hard, but so rewarding!

Cathy Kennedy said...

Trusting God completely is easier said than done sometimes and this is a lesson we all must learn on our own. Once we relinquish control of a situation by placing everything at the feet of the Master, we're not only demonstrating our faith, but allowing ourselves to be happier. Great poem!

Just making my daily blog hop rounds. I hope you'll decide to join in today's post: Krispy Kreme & Images of a Summer Night Have a good day!

Unknown said...

That's so true! And faith is to have a perfect knowledge. So the closer we are to that perfect knowledge the less 'faith' we need. And I hear it takes a long time for some of us. ;)

VBR said...

what a beautiful post for letter K. this is a great life lesson. too often we get so fixated on the cracks and worry that we forget to see the joy in the fact that the cracks may stay, but the wall won't fall. and, sometimes. the cracks only add to the wonder of it all. beautiful poem.

carol l mckenna said...

Very creative post ~ love the poem ~ ~ thanks, namaste, (A Creative Harbor)

Stacy said...

I love this idea.

With our faith evolving with time and experiences. I am a rule follower by nature. Organized in all aspects of my professional life. But the life that matters most, I am like your poem, sometimes surviving and sometimes believing in light burdens and blind faith. Evolving into a unshakable testimony.

Thanks Sue!

Judie said...

Another wonderful piece from you, Sue.

Leovi said...

Yes, I too would like to stop having cracks and be more free. Greetings.

Grandma Honey said...

I completely understand what you are saying. I believe I have learned the same lesson in life.

Karen Mortensen said...

Beautiful and thought provoking as always.

Pondside said...

Some things change as we grow older and wiser, but many things stay with us - just a little 'tweaked' with time.

jen said...

I'm still in the surprised stage of life and wondering how He holds it all together.

larainydays said...

Whenever I think I'm through counting cracks, I'm humbled by something unexpected.

anitamombanita said...

How many years ago?!! It reminds me of an image I created for a friend who has had more than a few struggles in her life and is now trying to find faith. I'll send it to you.

Susan Mystery said...

Awesome writing. I really liked how you added the difference between when you wrote it and how you feel now. Great job!!

SarahBeth said...

Excellent and thoughtful post -- that sometimes is a hard lesson to learn, and equally hard to do. But so wonderful when done!

momto8 said...

at our prayer group this week my friends were thanking God for their crosses in life, as that is what brought them deeper in their faith...oh I am so not there yet.

Jim said...

It's a wonderful thought, Sue. I know you keep this one in mind whenever you start to worry about things.

I might too.
..

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

I've had the same experience, less crack counting these days, but every once in a while......

storybeader said...

In my experience, most brick walls fall. But then some are held in place by one man's work!

What a nice poem - and a pretty wall {:-D

4 Lettre Words said...

Wow...I can really relate to that, Sue. And, makes me think of that movie, Faith Like Potatoes. (Definitely worth checking out if you've not seen it before.)

Anonymous said...

I struggle with poetry--I haven't figured out how to read it in a way that lets it make sense to me. But, for whatever reason, this poem clicked with me. Thank you for sharing.

Darlene said...

I remember when you wrote that poem, Sue. Yes,your faith has indeed grown, as has mine.

I am going to be exercising my faith to its very limits this next week, with all you have to do. Above all, you must try to relax as much as you possibly can. Things have a way of working out, you know, and I just know this will too. I worry about your blood pressure, but I do have faith that all will go well.

The Poet said...

Dear Sue,
Very impressive words indeed!! Also, 31 years ago and still very effective.

Catherine said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful poem, and what a great reminder.
-Catherine

Gattina said...

Very well written ! beautiful poem

Brian Miller said...

hope you have a wonderful weekend!

karen said...

Yes, many times we have to getting a little older to realize we can't do it all ourselves - and to realize how little we really do have control over.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

I count the cracks between the wall, and want it to fall, but then I know that my faith will carry me through.

Caroline said...

Sometimes I count the cracks too (and I'm in my 30's like you I guessing were when you wrote this poem?) but, I made a decision, no matter how many cracks I find, just to believe. Christ's love and blessings in my life always humble me, and then I feel silly for even thinking I see cracks.

:)

Amy said...

I was afraid of certain things for many years. And then one day, I had to stare at that crack in the wall. and funny story, that crack went away. How profound.

Jenny said...

Oh Sue.

Sue.

this is magnificent.

I totally and completely loved the sentiment in this.

I am printing this out as a reminder to myself.

Wow.

Bless you for sharing this inKredible writing.

A++++++++++++++++++++

Tonya said...

Oh, so good!! LOVED this!!