Part Poem Part Faith; Story of my Life

Once their was a little girl, not too long ago.
She loved to sing, and dance for fun and smile wherever she did go.
She was always joyous and carefree;
What zest for a little child- she did possess you see!
She loved life and everyone in it and wanted to spread her joy to all.
Spinning and frolicing all around, not worried about who might watch her going around and around.
She thought of the positive and happy things she could do, not the ones which made her feel blue.
Well, somewhere in her childhood years she lost part of the spark of  past youthful cheer.
She tried her hand at many a craft, but gave up to easy- since her guardian implied- she was daft.
The Guardian called her, "The Quitter", to which she became quite defensive and bitter.
She began to think, "I wonder what they think of me?"And "Will this make make them happy?"
Instead of, " How great this get together will be!"
The dark cloud of misery descended unhesitantly.
Self-Pity and doubt shrouded her thoughts.
The truths in her faith and religion were fading in what the Guardian now taught.
Confusion ran through her mind, as clashing ideals and self image intertwined.
She thought, "Who am I?" and do I really matter?
As the girl inside the woman pondered that, she heard her conscience utter;
"I am a daughter of God who loves me and I love him, I will stand as a witness of God in all things,at all times and in all places." Standing for a witness starts with me. I am capable of marvelous talents and wonderful skills. All I need is faith, hard work and perserverance to overcome any obstacle. I can beat any negative thought with optimism and idealism. Fantasies and dreams for my future, can and do become realities. Love for all mankind is critical to forgiving myself and others close to me. As I learn to see the world through Heavenly Father's Eyes I can be more like him and divinely see the light in every person's countenance more clearly; including my own.

Chelsea Merkley
May 16, 2011