I am, I do not, I do, I am not

I am – yet I do not

I am a daughter
yet I do not behave daughterly,
confiding in my mother, asking
her advice, coming to her for consolation.

I am a wife
yet I do not behave so completely
as to be perfectly obedient, compliant,
putting my husband first above all else.

I am a mother
yet I do not act motherly,
softly offering love without reproach
nurturing, supporting, a haven for my children.

I am a teacher
yet I do not always consider
that my charges are yet babies,
needing better communication than I give them.

I am a friend
yet I do not act so lovingly
that I will go extra miles
to bring comfort and consolation.

I am not – yet I do

I am not a writer
yet I draw forth meaning from
few words scattered on a page,
bringing insight and emotion.

I am not a painter
yet, occasionally, my use of colour
in paint brings emotion to the fore,
and I am satisfied.

I am not a cook
yet baking speaks to my soul
and pours love out
to those I prepare food for.

I am not a seamstress
yet the act of mending rips and tears
concealing blemishes in cherished garments
brings me contentment.

I am not a manager
yet organizing systems, people,
bringing order out of chaos
fulfils the tidiness in me.

I am not a lover
yet, through tiny acts of service,
through tender thoughts and caring words
I love. I do.

The Man Jesus

Did he know the weight of generations?
Expectation of performance,
living up to forebears of greatness?

Could he build an ark
In times of drought, or, like Abraham
embark on a journey to unknown places?

Would he become Israel, leader of a nation,
or part the Red Sea as Moses did
with a raising of his staff?

Should he become a warrior king like David
or build a mightier temple
than Solomon?

Did he know his greatness
from the humble beginnings
as a carpenter’s son?

Had he heard whispers
in the night between his
parents?

Did he wonder as he read of
his genealogy? So many generations
leading to his appointed time?

He became his own man, fulfilled his own destiny,
completed and began anew his Life’s work.
The Child of all the generations. The Christ.