Many of you knew Jesse L.
It's been several years since he passed away.
I found this poem on his desk the day of his memorial service.
I'd like to post it in his memory.
The Monument
God,
before He sent his children to earth,
gave each of them
a very carefully selected package
of troubles.
These,
He promised smiling,
are yours alone.
No one else may have the blessings
these problems will bring you
And only you
have the special talents and abilities
that will be needed to make these problems
your servants.
Know that I love you
beyond all measure.
These problems that I gave you
are a symbol of that love.
The monument you make of your life,
with the help of your problems,
will be a symbol of your
love for me.
Your Higher Power
10 comments:
A beautiful poem. Thank you Nancy, I needed it today...
Batyah
hi nancy,
I am erbin f. from NY, thank you so much for this meditation....i am a relative new comer to SA, in my 5th month of sobriety and working step 7 now....and yes i totally identify with the gift i have recieved and the monument to God my life is becoming...
for example yesterday i was faced with a day with no plans...i just sat still at the beginning of the day and listened for my higher power and what i should do...i was told, "Simply meet the moment as it arises, don't be afraid i will nto leave you alone!" As it turned out i went to Coney Island with an SA brother and we had a quiet, undramatic, beautiful day...in the evening we went to a fastfood place to get something to eat. As we entere a group of black teenagers were laughing at us. i stared at them and was feeling a bit resentful, and fearful. But you know what Nancy? I was amazed at the calmness inside of me...i thought to myself, "I wonder whats wrong with them?"....Now that is a switch for me! The old me would have said i wonder what is wrong with me and then go on to feel shame.
I am recovering because i am learning to face those problems God gave me and the consequent grateful and humble personality is truly a monument to the power of God!
pax
erbin
Nancy,
Thanks for the email. I do remember Jesse and also own a copy of "The Lust Tapes." I have bookmarked your blog. I hope and pray your back is healing and you are able to get around better without the wheelchair. (this is Nancy from Ohio, right)
Take care,
Jeff S
Very cool - thanks for sharing, Nancy!
How are you doing? Have you made any decisions about your back?
I'm home tonight if you want to give a ring.
Mary
Hi Nancy !! No this is great !! I just wanted to know if I know you...I DO !!
Ok so great...thanks again...
Take care...God bless !
Bernadette
Hello Nancy...what fellowship are you in? I think it's SA...am I right? Your profile did not come up...
Take care...God bless you..thanks for sending this...
BernadetteK
Nancy,
I sang at Jesse's funeral. He sent me that typewritten poem when I was pretty low. My wife had that and a picture of Jess framed side by side for a recent birthday. Thanks for the memory...
Singing Mark
Nancy,
Thank you very much, I really enjoyed this one.
God bless,
Tom W
I finally got around to actually reading "The Monument." All I can say is that is absolutely incredible and yes it really spoke to me as well. It is really hard to put into words how much it meant to me. Just wanted to let you know that. Hope all is well with you.
Later, Kathy R. from Oregon
Thank You!. . .Steve S.
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