Friday, January 25, 2019

Surrounded


Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.
If anyone slaps you on the right cheek,
turn to them the other check also.

They surround us
Hurling brutal taunts
Words wild, profane
We, there for life
Our lives dismissed
Because our rhythm
Pleads a different beat
Demanding drummer pounds
Encroaches, face to face
Confused when confronted
I choose to stand my ground
I smile, meet his eyes
And offer up to him
My cheek to bruise

Amen

21 comments:

  1. Great poem, Martha.

    Coincidentally, just saw the film "Unbroken" a true story about Louis Zamperini, an American prisoner of war in Japan and his treatment by the Japanese corporal Mutsuhiro Watanabe who is especially tough on Louie, beating him often and torturing him. At all times, Louis turned the other cheek.

    Louis Silvie Zamperini (January 26, 1917 – July 2, 2014) was an American World War II veteran, who later became a Christian evangelist with a strong belief in forgiveness.

    A true story worth reading or seeing the film.

    God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Victor! And this movie sounds amazing - we will have to watch it in the near future. I had heard of Zamperini, and would love to learn more about his life as a committed Christian.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. That was a great book, Victor! Sadly the motion picture industry ignored the important story of redemption and God's use of Zamperini.
    Beautiful, Martha!
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, Lulu. Also, the scenes in the sea were a bit too long, I felt.

      God bless.

      Delete
    2. There's a book? Great to know that, too, Lulu! I will check out the local library.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  3. Oh, Martha, you spoke this so eloquently...and that is exactly right. I wish you would publish this for the world to see. May I share your post today? This is a beautiful way to understand what that intelligent young man was doing. The world doesn't understand this, but God certainly is watching and knows. God bless you for putting it into words we can understand as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, by all means, share this post, Pamela, and encourage others to do the same! I'm honored that you liked it so much, and that the message spoke to you loud and clear. My hope is that someone on Facebook who actually knows this young man and his family sees it and shares with them. If it's God's will, it will happen.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. Martha, you penned a deeply heart-felt post. Learning to turn the other cheek, to do what Jesus taught is challenging and sometimes HARD. However, it does speak volumes to those around us.

    In some of the above comments, I saw mention of the book and movie, "Unbroken" telling the story of Mr. Zamperini. His story is truly amazing, as is his conversion--he was saved, came to faith in a Billy Graham crusade. Now I need to read that book and watch the movie!

    Love and blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kim, for your kind words here about the poem's sentiment. I still can't get over how this 17-year-old knew Jesus' lesson so well, and was able to use it to diffuse a potentially confrontational event.
      Yes, I'm definitely going to read that book, too!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  5. This is so good, Martha. And coincidentally, mirrors what Sean of the South penned in his column this morning! Not sure if you follow him, but here's the link: https://seandietrich.com/dear-sean-36/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't follow Sean of the South currently, Mevely, but I will be sure to check him out. Thanks for the link!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  6. I agree with Myra that Sean of the South always has something important to share with us. Your poem does mirror the Bible verse so well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Terri, for your kind words here. I did visit Sean of the South, and tried to sign up to receive his posts, but errors kept occurring. Will try again later.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  7. Both Redemption movies on Louis Zamperini were excellent. Shows the struggle of those with PTSD (not called that back then) and also the redeeming love of God. as for your post: the news sure shows how they get it wrong as viral videos show something totally different.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll definitely have to see these films, Bill, that's for sure. As for the news media? Absolutely shameful, promoting their biased agenda instead of the facts. May God have mercy on them . . .
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  8. I avoided reading any mainstream news on the issue, but heard/read pieces through other sources. Even now, I know very little of the events that took place. But the words you have written, I believe, are all I really need to know about it. Very well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so appreciate you taking me at my word here, Ryan - that means a lot! And I'm glad you enjoyed reading here today.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. Thank you, Beckie, and thanks for sharing on Facebook!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  10. Thank you for this precious post, Martha. May God send healing to so many hurting hearts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so welcome, Cheryl. Yes, may God heal the broken-hearted.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete

. . . Good Tidings of Great Joy . . .

  . . . Good tidings of great joy . . . ~Luke 2:10 Pictured above are my daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, John, and their three girls, Virginia,...