Sunday, March 16, 2014

Changing Focus--By Charlene McCutcheon

Changing Focus

Every way wanting to get better and better.
She tried hard to live the law to the letter.
Knowing well His laws were right and good,
Something was missing or not understood.

Trying to overcome a weakness of the flesh,
Negativity she found, kept her from her best.
She was not able to conquer it with her will,
Nor with sheer determination, the law fulfill.

What is my problem she asked o're and o're.
That I'm not able to reach the distant shore?
Success she wanted now, not to be delayed.
Not my will but thine, she fervently prayed.

A vision of a puzzle piece came to her mind.
Thoughts came with it. "Love you must find;
Pray with your heart for the gift of Charity.
Then obey from your heart; you will be free."

In one moment in time; one taste of His love
Was like receiving manna from Heaven above.
She'd finally found the ‘peace’ that was missing.
Focused on Charity, she'd now be succeeding.

Charlene McCutcheon is a 73 year old, wife, mother of seven, grandmother of thirty and great-grandmother of 14. She has just discovered her voice through poetry within the last few years. Her former ways of expression have been through the media of arts and crafts. Her desire to share herself with others for their benefit has been the motivating factor in all her endeavors. She loves life, work, play and most of all people.

27 comments:

  1. For those who have faith, every day we are faced with obstacles and things to lead us astray, and it can be a real struggle as the poem suggests. I'm do good your poem has a happy ending. An excellent poem I can relate too. well done. Peter Dome.

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  2. Thank you so much for your kind comments Peter. I love happy endings too.
    Charlene

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  3. Charlene,
    This so beautifully conveys the enrichment you receive from truly giving to others from the heart. I am so glad you shared it with us. Thank you.
    Pam

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    1. Pam, thank you so much for your very kind words. And you are so right. The blessing of giving to others from my heart has enriched my life abundantly.
      Love, Charlene

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  4. Wonderful expression - as charity is a gift from all who share it with another. Your words flow nicely like a gentle stream of kindness and love...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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    1. Oh Rhoda, your responses as well as your poems always touch my heart.. Thank you so much for your words that always edify not only myself but all others you come in contact with. That in itself is a wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing all your talent.
      Love, Charlene.

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  5. Thank you, Robert Hinshaw, for the following comment--

    Charlene: Congratulations on having your beautiful poem "Changing Focus" featured on the Whispers site. I thoroughly enjoyed this very creative and insightful verse! Many thanks for your kind comments re "All Things Beautiful" and I am pleased that it brought back fond memories for you - Bob H

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    1. Bob, thank you so much for your very kind comments on this poem. And you are so welcome for the comments I made on your poem "All Things Beautiful". Keeping our eyes on the beauty the good Lord has made for us to enjoy only enhances my love for Him.
      Charlene

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  6. Dear Charlene,

    A wonderfully written poem on finding the missing peace this person was searching for by giving of herself to others. Thank you, Charlene, for sharing your poetry with us and for kind comments.

    Sandra Stefanowich

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    1. Thank you so much Sandra for your uplifting comments. I most assuredly do appreciate your taking the time to read and comment on so many of the poems. You are a blessing to this community.
      Love, Charlene

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  7. Great poem about the spiritual struggle so many of us face. It isn't easy, and I pray every day that God would show me how to be a better person, what I can do to please Him. Finding that 'peace that passes understanding' isn't easy, but glad you have done so. Kristina

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  8. Kristina, thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my poem. You are so right that life is not easy and we need God to show us how to be a better person and what we can do to please him. And yes finding the peace that passes understanding is not easy.
    Charlene

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  9. Hello, Charlene! What a beautiful and enlightening poem! It is good to have reminders and to see it in a beautiful an elegant poem is an awesome experience! Sheri

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  10. Sheri, dear heart, what a kind and appreciated comment. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on the poem. This is such a wonderful community of loving and caring people and so encouraging that all make it place where we feel not only safe in bearing our souls in poetry but also encouraged to continue writing. What a blessing this community and you are.
    Love, Charlene

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  11. Thank you, Robert Dufresne, for the following comment--

    Your auto biography did not have to say that you loved people. It is self evident! Lovely poem Charlene. Focusing on Charity is exactly where it is at. The Nucleus,
    Love Himself. The One, the True, the Good, the Beautiful. Awesome.

    Bob D

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  12. Bob, Thank you so much for your kind perceptive comment. You've got it right. I do love people and Jesus gets all the credit. "We love Him because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19)
    Love, Charlene

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  13. A very beautiful and inspiring write Charlene and this should be part of who we are with charity a focal point. I agree with others, this is awesome... Janet

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    1. Thank you so much Janet for your very kind words. I know that acquiring the gift of Charity is a worthy goal.
      Love, Charlene

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  14. Dear Charlene,
    For each of us there may be something missing in our quest for reaching the divine shores of heaven. In a world where many put themselves first and fail to consider the needs of others, chariry is essential to our spiritual growth. Your poem, as always, is brilliantly written and very moving. Blessings to you for this spiritual reminder! Love, Carolyn

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    1. Carolyn, what a talent you have for just the right words, not only in your poems but in response to other's poems. Thank you for your perfect timing in response to mine.
      Love, Charlene

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  15. Dear Charlene,

    Thank you so much for all the comments you left for others as well as sharing your talent for Whispers. What a bright light you are in this poetry community. I appreciate your support and encouragement.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  16. Karen, You make it so inviting to come to your blog spot , with your love and appreciation that Whispers is one of the first places I want to come. Thank you for all your encouragement and for making it possible to share what talent I may have writing poetry.
    Love, Charlene

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  17. Thank you, Eleanor Michael, for the following comment--

    Faith, Hope, and Charity. Good message.

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  18. Thank you, Jack Horne, for the following comment--

    what a sweet piece

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  19. Thank you, Christine Tate, for the following comment--

    Hi Charlene, Thanks for sharing your wonderful poem! When we give of ourselves to others, the blessings from heaven are released in abundance back to us. There's an overwhelming sense of peace that floods our soul when we perform charitable acts. God bless you.

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  20. Yes, Charlene, a change of focus can be a good thing. Love the poem. Thanks for sharing and continued blessings!

    -Maurice J. Reynolds, Owner / Editor
    TGBTG! Publications / Creative Inspirations
    www.tgbtgpublictions.com

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  21. Thank you, Richard Sponaugle for the following comment--

    Very heartfelt and reverent, an excellent poem reminding us of God's glory.

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