offering: bringing all you are into the light

/ Joy Lenton

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” — Maya Angelou

Offering 

I bring my weeds and wheat,
my thorns and tares, 
every discordant, jarring 
part of me I share
and deposit at your feet.

I bring myself—
a soul unravelled,
not a neatly tied
up package of a person
brought fully under 
control, but an untidy 

messed-up self, with
threadbare, ribbon-like spools.
I bring my pain, my joys 
and sorrows, the tears I 
hide inside and those 

I can release and cry.
I bring my masks
and scars, my shadow 
side that’s in great need
of holy redeeming light. 

I bring an open heart 
that’s still wary
of opening up
but wants more than anything 
to be able to love

others better, and accept
the love you freely give
to me, the hope of seeing 
change, and the grace 
to live my life differently.
© joylenton


“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” — Kahlil Gibran

8 thoughts on “offering: bringing all you are into the light”

  2. So very beautiful dear Joy!! 🥰 Oh how thankful I am for the multiplied mercy of my Saviour who receives every offering I place at His feet! Thank you for your sweet encouragement today my dear sister. Love and hugs and prayers for you! ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply

    • How grateful we are, indeed, Bettie! Especially when we consider the paucity of our offerings, the hesitation to hand over our hearts, minds, and lives, compared with all God freely and willingly gives to us when we place our faith in Christ! I’m so pleased you were blessed and encouraged here, my dear sister and friend! Love, hugs and prayers for you, too! xo 🙏🏻❤️🕊

      Reply

  3. Dear Joy
    Thank you so much for your beautiful Offerings prayer which I really needed to hear this morning as I have been struggling with painful osteoarthritis and other health issues.
    I am taking our half hour midweek service this week and it will be lovely to use it in our time of worship. Our small group of elderly members have really appreciated your beautiful writing when I have used your wonderful poetry in the past.
    Blessings and prayers
    Carol

    Reply

    • Dear Carol, I’m so sorry to hear how much you’re struggling with osteoarthritis and other health issues. My heart goes out to you. As you know, I can strongly relate. Feel free to email me with an update. Yes, please do use the Offerings poem/prayer for your midweek service. I’m humbly grateful for an opportunity to help bless others with the words God gives me. Thank you so much for the sweet encouragement you’ve shared. It means a lot, dear friend. Blessings, love and prayers for greater pain relief and improved health. x 💜🙏🏻

      Reply

      • Just to let you know Joy that your beautiful poem was really appreciated by everyone – as was my service on the theme of Psalm 23.

        Blessings

        Carol

      • Thank you so much for letting me know, Carol. I’m glad your service went down well. Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved ones that people appreciate. I expect it lifts you, too, to minister to them. Thank you for your recent email. I hope to reply to it soon. Blessings and love. x ❤️🕊

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