Be of Good Cheer

Here are a couple of poems from a hard time in my life. They go along with a discussion that took place in the women's class at my church called Relief Society. Each Sunday, we meet together as women and read scriptures and share personal experiences that have helped our faith along. It is usually a very nourishing and comforting place to be. Today's discussion centered around this talk from one of our leaders and, while it is filled with stories of people going through really difficult things, in the end it is so very uplifting. In the Bible, Jesus invites us to be of good cheer (John 16:33) and trust in him, even when things are hard. I believe this choice is possible, even when it is not easy or simple.

Be of Good Cheer: Two Views

1.
A choice to be made
Challenges come
But agency does not depart

The Lord does not ask us to
Stand still, holding out our
Silver Platter so good cheer can
Appear

He does not bid us
Wish
Or try
Or pretend, He
Simply bids us
Be

I gain comfort from
These high expectations
Of an Elder Brother

If he did not see me capable
He would not have issued the call.

May 2003




2.
An injunction offered
At the junction of
Circumstance and will
A simple plea to Be
In the very moment we
Would abandon hope to fear
He offers Good Cheer
Will we take the opportunity
Or claim we are not free?

May 2003