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Michael
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Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2011-07-31 06:46 PM


Clean!


The better part of thirty years
I had a monkey on my back.
Robbing me of both joy and tears,
And giving nothing back.
‘Spent years trying to shake it loose,
And more letting it drag me down.
I spent years dangling in a noose
Tightened of my own renown.

Without strength to set myself free,
I found it easy to spurn hope;
Living but to feed the monkey
At the other end of my rope.
Worn and tired, weak and numb,
Questioning the will to survive…
I closed my eyes to the cumbersome
But somehow woke up alive!

I shot up enough to drop a horse,
But God didn’t let me die.
He set my life to a new course –
It’s not mine to question why.
Some cringe at the word “miracle,”
It’s there some lines of faith are drawn.
But I woke up May eighth by God’s will
With the monkey on my back gone.

Addiction’s not that easily dropped,
Not the cycles it feeds from.
And it’s been temptation has not stopped,
Still I have not succumb.
So friends, I know just where you’ve been,
And where you think you’ll never be…
But by God’s strength I stand before you, clean!
By His grace and mercy, free!


Michael Anderson


© Copyright 2011 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved
Lighthousebob
Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725
California
1 posted 2011-08-01 12:12 PM


Wonderful how you used poetry to tell your testimony and, yes, I do believe in miracles and, after reading your beautiful poem and seeing your beautiful picture with who I suppose is your beautiful little boy, I have to say that I believe in miracles even more.

God bless,
-Bob

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2011-08-01 12:53 PM


Thank you for posting this Michael!!
Michael
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since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
3 posted 2011-08-01 04:26 PM


Thank you Martie, and Bob.  I should have noted in the poem, the May 8th I was speaking of was may 8th, 2010.  I have been clean nearing 15 months now.  And yes, Bob, that is my wonderful little boy, Michael Jr. who now is now 21.  I really really need to update my pic I sippose.  
Martie
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California
4 posted 2011-08-01 09:05 PM




Lighthousebob
Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725
California
5 posted 2011-08-02 01:46 PM


Don't fret over it too much, I still need to find one!
sandgrain
Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662
Sycamore, IL, USA
6 posted 2011-08-02 02:35 PM


Michael, Congratulations on 17 months!  You have been so very blessed in poetic ability and use it so well to glorify God.  I'm honored to have the opportunity to read your posts.

God bless!

Rae

Mysteria
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since 2001-03-07
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British Columbia, Canada
7 posted 2011-08-03 01:15 AM


Miracles do happen, and you are a testiment to it Michael.  Your son is 21!   Time for a new picture indeed.
Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
8 posted 2011-08-03 08:39 AM


Michael, He watches over us...I definitely
believe in that.

So, then of course, it's most natural to
believe in a miracle such as you.



Keep it up, young man.

"The business of the poet...is to show the sorriness underlying the grandest things and the grandeur underlying the sorriest things." Thomas Hardy

Michael
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Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
9 posted 2011-08-03 12:48 PM


Rae, thank you, on both counts... the compliment & the congratulations.  I'm glad you feel that way.

Mysteria, I haven't changed a bit... really I haven't.       We'll see what I can come up with I suppose... lol

K, He watches over us, and He answers prayer as well... in His time and in His way.  All that has happened in my life has been direct answer to prayer from many many years ago.  He was wise enough to know I wouldn't give Him the due credit, if He didn't let me try to control every aspect of my life myself first... and bring it to the total and complete wreck it was.  I finally figured it out though, I can't be a follower if I'm always jumping out in front.  It's His turn to lead... always has been.  

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
10 posted 2011-08-03 03:43 PM


Michael, I'm not sure if you ever heard
"Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks,
but it does remind me of this poem.

He does know what is best for us...

I believe I still struggle with the idea
that I can do it "all by myself..." and
every now and then, I realize, "nope,
wrong way to be thinking..."

There IS strength in knowing in what ways
one is weak. The strength is in acknowledging
our weaknesses, and we are lifted by that
very revelation.

You're a




Joyce Johnson
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since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
11 posted 2011-08-08 11:33 AM


I am so happy for you Michael.  I lost a beautiful great-grandson to an over dose just two years ago this week.  He was just twenty three.  His folks are still not over the devastation of their loss.  So very glad for you nd yours.  Love, Joyce
Michael
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Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
12 posted 2011-08-08 02:31 PM


quote:
There IS strength in knowing in what ways
one is weak.


K, All I can say to that is, "Amen!"   And yes, "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."  <--- Can I say that, Ron?   I give Garth all the credit.

Joyce, my heart goes out to you and your family.  Believe me I'm counting my blessings every day.  ((HUGS))

Paul Wilson
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since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
13 posted 2011-08-13 06:23 PM


Michael... From where the will power and strength comes we will forever wonder, but the shear joy of being close to Jesus is a wonderful relationship in itself.Great poem...Paul
suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
14 posted 2011-08-25 04:17 PM


I believe in miracles and I rejoice in the one that has you here with us glorifying God through your beautiful words!

byski
Member
since 2006-01-26
Posts 235
Alberta, Canada
15 posted 2011-09-15 02:27 PM


Right on! I feel empowered by just reading this!
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