Goodbye Letter

Yes, I hear you!!!
Your voice echoes echoes echoes in my mind
as the words soarrrr off the lines
dysfunck-ing my atmosphere
inhaling stenched excuses
each syllable
singes my nostrils
burns my eyes
I cry
inside
to smother the wildfire
blazing through my heart

The flame once set upon the torch
that kept the passion burning
is at its wick’s end
One more deep breath
may be its demise
Another breath…
Ahhhh


Candace Baldwin © 2009-2013. All rights reserved

Teardrops (poem)

Cries…
scarlet eyes
a million teardrops
to my demise
thunder terrors
diminished dreams
can’t see the sky
I’m paralyzed

Bricks..
steep and thick
not a single teardrop
could puncture it
hardened heartache
frozen fossils
angered stiff
my heart is sick

Flow…
letting go
a dozen teardrops
melting snow
forgiveness flowers
springtime smiles
the final show
now, I can grow

Cleansed…
season’s end
no more teardrops
embrace the wind
perfect peace
feeling free
we can be friends
I love again!

Candace Burts © 2009. All rights reserved
Read Teardrops Inspiration: Letting Go

Teardrops Inspiration: Letting Go

Sometimes, we have to let go of people, situations, a bad investment, bad habits, even our dreams if they’re not in alignment with our purpose. It’s not easy and it’s definitely a process that I’ve went through hundreds of times. However, it’s something we must learn to do in order to move forward in our lives. Also, in regards to people, it’s required that we forgive… so God can forgive us.

I wrote Teardrops when I realized I had let go of a dream. It’s a good dream, and I believe God-sent, but the timing just isn’t right. I knew I had let go, because I am able to do things for the people involved without any ill feelings or emotions. I am free to love and support with hopes for the best.

Teardrops captures the seasons and emotions we experience in the process of letting go. Realistically, there are some other phases, and we may bounce back and forth before obtaining a sense of freedom. The first two seasons (stanzas) are severe Sadness and Anger which are common, but unhealthy. I used to hate the emotional part, crying and carrying on, feeling gloomy with no motivation. Plus, I felt like a wimp. If and when you go through these stages, make them short-lived. Don’t get stuck in them. The final two stages are Healing and Freedom, finally… letting go! You can tell when you’ve let go when the person or thing doesn’t consume your mind and you can be happy for them.

Is there something or someone hindering your purpose? Perhaps, it's time to... let go. Face your fears and let God fill the empty space. If it's meant for you to have, it will come back to you... in His time.

In an effort to shorten the length of my posts, I’ve only posted a condensed version of this inspiration. The full writing goes into depth about the seasons, includes my personal testimonies, addresses letting go of relationships and answers questions like "Why you do I have to let go?", “Why is letting go so hard to do?” and “How do I let go?” If you’d like the full version, please befriend me on Google (lower right), FaceBook or Twitter and send me a message. I will add you to my mailing list and send it to you.

In the meantime, enjoy Teardrops!

Getting Out of the Funk... When You're "Going Through"

I’m starting this discussion because I’ve been talking to a few of my sisters who have been or are currently… going through. Hopefully, this is a word of encouragement to you that truly… this too shall pass.

Mama used to call it being in a “funk” when things that are heavy on your mind get you down.

Lately, I’ve found myself in and out of a funk. I’ve been going through… In case you can’t relate to that term, I’ve been dealing with issues of life. Poor judgment calls, disappointments, unexpected changes, being blamed for others’ mistakes, money has been funny, discouragement… Oh yeah, I went there. I even found myself in self-pity for a minute. Bear with me if you’re beyond experiencing these emotions, but God isn’t through with me yet:)

More than the actual circumstances, most of which have passed, I continued to entertain the funk due to not forgiving myself. How could I allow myself to get off my square? I even felt like I had disappointed God and missed out on something He had for me. It’s amazing how God can forgive us so much easier than we forgive ourselves. Hmm… have you ever felt like that?

Ultimately, this is a state of mind that the enemy thrives on. Satan’s methods are designed to defeat God and humanity by limiting the gospel.* As long as we’re caught up in a funk, our minds and energy are distracted from the things of God, from the tasks set before us, from the joy that belongs to us through Christ. I think what happens is that in the aftermath, after Satan’s work has been done. Though we have gained some sense of freedom, we may continue to allow the thoughts to creep back in. Often we re-experience the situation within our very own minds.

So, what do we do when these defeating thoughts re-occur?
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ~2 Cor. 10:5

Surely, I thank God for His grace and mercy, and I’m so glad that I have His Word in my heart to speak forth at times such as these. Whew! God’s Word is a powerful source to renew your mind and thinking when the things of this world get you down. It’s cool to talk to your friends, but the WORD OF GOD… there’s nothing like it! Today, I just saturated myself in the Word and I feel GREAT!

Bottom Line… Satan is defeated. We prevail. There’s work to be done… Get out the Funk!

*MasterLife 3, The Disciple’s Victory. Avery T. Willis and Kay Moore