Heads Up!

by Cheryl Merrick

Clumsily, I walk the earth.
Awkwardly, I try to do tasks
as their heads wag 
in knowing "sympathy".

Flustered, I try to remember 
so many details.
Exasperated, I try to get 
all the steps in proper order
as their heads wag 
in knowing "sympathy".

Beaten down and overwhelmed
by all my "inadequacies",
I finally remember who I am,
and spreading my wings,
rise into the sky
as their heads look up awe.

Grateful for Weaknesses

by Cheryl Merrick

Blessed with an astounding intuitive ability
to see and foresee patterns of human behavior, 
I feel humbly grateful.

Preferring intuition over sensing
also makes me astoundingly weak
in handling the many details of life.

This weakness has brought me 
tears, frustration, embarrassment, 
and finally to my knees 
humbly begging God for His help
in coping with the small things
that others do so easily.

Making a Choice

by Cheryl Merrick
The decision is logical.
Like using your "other" hand,
using your weakest ability
quickly generates stress.

I know this well
for I have frequently suppressed
my strongest ability.
Fearing social disapproval
and not wanting to disappoint those I love,  
rather than developing the talents God has given me,
I chose instead do what others expected of me. 
Of course, it doesn't take long 
before I collapse in exhaustion. 

Pacing

by Cheryl Merrick

After listening to Conference*
I know I need to change.
I am a creative person
who doesn’t enjoy structure.
Consequently,
I do what I feel like
then find undone
what I really wanted,
or needed to do.

Never and Always

by Cheryl Merrick

I was never going to
lose my temper
yell at my children
put on weight
become out of shape
take pills
or get old.

My home would
always be clean and neat;
My children
kind and obedient;
And my heart
loving and giving.

Through years filled with
“nevers” that happened,
and those “always” which didn’t,
I no longer boast of my own strength,
Instead, I live
Trusting in His mercy and power
to perfect my weaknesses.
3/23/08