Eileen Manassian Poet Free verse

To the Lifegiver

You’ve given me another year
365 blank pages
To fill up
I know that your ultimate desire
Is for me to fill them in ways
That are according to your will
And that bring you joy
And that make your divine face
Break out into a smile
Of approval and love
That lights up the universe!

I know that I’ve lost the plot
This last year
I haven’t followed the plan
And I’ve wounded you
With things I’ve said
Things I’ve done
Things you wanted me to do
That I’ve left undone
The things I’ve thought
And yes, Lord
The things I’ve written
My unruly and rebellious heart
Grieving your heart of infinite love

You’ve given me life
All the days I live
Are written in your book
Before one of them came to be
You also know
When I will breathe my last
And rest in your arms

And yet….you grant me life
And you keep this heart beating
And this soul breathing
Giving me chances to get it right
Not the call to obedience
Though that is important
But the giving of my heart
And all that I am
Wholeheartedly…
Without reservations
That’s what you want
For me to get right because….
Once that is in place
All the rest follows

I know, Lord
I know…
I am grateful
For this gift you’ve granted me
This birthday I’ve celebrated
I’m grateful that you wink
And turn a blind eye
To many of the things I do
For you remember my frame
And know that I am dust
You know…as high as the heavens are above the earth
Your thoughts are than mine
And so…you are patient
And loving
And devoted to me

You wait
And you long
And you reach out to me
Granting me more days
So that you can recreate me
The way I’m meant to be
More years
To get it right
Because in the end
This life that I live
Is just a breath
I’m a flower
Blooming today
Withering tomorrow
But you want me to be
A forever flower
Resplendid in glory
Blooming for eternity
And that’s why
That’s why
You’ve granted me 
Another year
Another chance
To love you!

Eileen Manassian Ghali

*I've used several Bible texts in this poem. I haven't given references, nor have I used quotation marks because I've paraphrased, but I do want to give due credit to His Word...which is a revelation of who He is! :)

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Richard Lamoureux September 8, 2014 at 5:12 PM I remember this one well! Congratulations Eileen. I forget the title of my response poem.

Brenda Meier-Hans September 7, 2014 at 3:09 PM Congratulations Eileen and thanks for sharing this.

Faye Gibson September 7, 2014 at 2:20 PM Eileen, I love that you allowed me to listen in on this heart to heart you had with God. Congratulations.

Joyce Johnson September 7, 2014 at 12:03 PM well done, Eileen. congratulations. Love, Joyce

Anne-Lise Andresen September 7, 2014 at 6:24 AM - Hooray for your 1st place!!!!! - Congratulations on your winning poem in the contest   "Prayer" - A beautiful prayer, my friend Eileen !! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)

Dr. Upma A. Sharma September 7, 2014 at 6:11 AM Lovely n inspiring Eileen! Amazingly beautiful ,, congrats on huge win!

Dr.Ram Mehta September 7, 2014 at 1:59 AM Inspiring one, nicely done, Congrats, Eileen

Regina Mcintosh September 6, 2014 at 11:23 PM Congratulations again and I love your prayer, Many blessings to you and yours. With much love, Gina

Johnny Rhinem May 22, 2013 at 4:25 PM Ps., Thank you beautiful lady. Wonderful your visit. Stay sweet. Love, John

Richard Lamoureux May 22, 2013 at 10:14 AM What a great tribute to God's unwavering love for us. I am sure he is smiling! Richard Lamoureux May 24, 2013 at 6:45 AM I can't even remember what I wanted to add it has vanished from my mind. I was wanting to rephrase a line not change the meaning. When I try to edit it comes up with an error message. Eileen Manassian May 22, 2013 at 3:13 PM Thanks, Richard and for your poem in response to this. How touching and how true. God must have just opened up your heart to fill it up with his Words for me. Thanks for being a channel for His love to flow through.

Sean L Sanders May 21, 2013 at 7:18 PM Nicely done poet Eileen Manassian May 22, 2013 at 3:13 PM Thanks, Sean. :) Being called a poet...what a joy!

Nette Onclaud May 21, 2013 at 9:29 AM soulful reflections so heartfelt light this page up... yes, He is the giver of life.. this is simply one fantastic illumination...lovely!...:) huggles Eileen Manassian May 22, 2013 at 3:14 PM Nette, thank you for your visit. I appreciate hearing for you. Yes, He is the giver of life and the giver of every good thing! :) Huggles back at ya!

Painted Hunter May 21, 2013 at 6:43 AM Giving thanks where thanks is due...we should all remember such things, Eileen. Wonderful Write! And thank you for the top poem comment. After I saw you and Becca's comments about it, I checked it out...and sure enough, there I am. How does a poem make the list?...faves? Eileen Manassian May 22, 2013 at 3:15 PM Caleb...thanks for reading and posting. We need to remind ourselves often of where our blessings come from. :) Glad you are at the top, my dear. You deserve it!

Demetrios Trifiatis May 21, 2013 at 6:00 AM His patience, immeasurable His love, unsurpassed His wisdom, incomparable He is waiting to see the slightest improvement from our part and He will compensate us many times over! May you have health and may you use your time wisely! Great poem! Self-criticism a sign of wisdom! Eileen Manassian May 22, 2013 at 3:16 PM Yes...my dear esteemed poet. He does compensate us many times over. Yes, I do need to get my priorities straight. He gives us countless opportunities to do just that. :) Thanks for the lovely visit.

Guru Jad May 21, 2013 at 5:58 AM It all begins with God and ends with Him... If people knew how to perceive life so lightly and focus on the essence of living, life would be a very happy journey... Eileen, I am sure you are guiding yourself by yourself into the Light.. and you are marching with steady paces... May He always lead to Him! <3 Eileen Manassian May 22, 2013 at 3:18 PM AMEN! Thanks, Guru Jad. Every good impulse comes from God. Even our faith is a gift. He is the light leading our path. May we always walk in the light. :) Thanks for the visit.

Timothy Hicks May 20, 2013 at 10:03 PM ... and may you fill those 365 pages with cherished memories of all that He has planned out for you. Your humility is stunning in this piece... sometimes my mind goes in strange places when I write (aiming to be "clever", instead of being true to myself... do you know what I mean?). Loved it Eileen! :) Eileen Manassian May 22, 2013 at 3:12 PM Yes, my dear...I do know what you mean. I think I'm guilty of that as well. Timothy...it's hard to stay focused on what matters, but when it is all said and done...He is the one who will see us through and take us to a better place. The Bible says..."My people have forgotten me days without number." It's good to remember His love! Hugs!

Johnny Rhinem May 20, 2013 at 7:01 PM I can already tell how very gifted as beautiful and blessed you are. Wow, this place is amazing i mean i have read merely four poets thus far today and Everyone of you, i have felt stirring inside my Spirit. This is a beautiful song of thankfulness as love; how many endless lives and my own, could claim it's very words. Love, John Eileen Manassian May 20, 2013 at 7:04 PM Thanks, John. I hope you aren't disappointed by some of my other work which you might consider unorthodox! Remember, we all have our struggles and we lose our way, but God is always there with open arms! :) Thanks for the visit and encouraging words. May you have a pleasant journey here!