Otherwise

Written by cycleguy on November 13th, 2017

I used the following poem in my sermon yesterday. I think it says what needs to be said without a bunch of commentary. It was written by Jane Kenyon and was quoted in Alter Ego by Craig Groeschel (pages 151-152)

I got out of bed on two strong legs.

It might have been otherwise.

I ate cereal, sweet milk, ripe, flawless peach.

It might have been otherwise.

I took the dog uphill to the birch wood.

All morning I did the work I love.

At noon I lay down with my mate.

It might have been otherwise.

We ate dinner together at a table with silver candlesticks.

It might have been otherwise.

I slept in a bed in a room with paintings on the walls, and planned another day just like this day.

But one day, I know, it will be otherwise.

Kenyon wrote this poem in 1993, upon learning that her husband, Donald Hall, had cancer. Ironically, it was Kenyon, not Hall. who died a year later after a fierce and swift battle with leukemia. “Otherwise” came unexpectedly. But Jane Kenyon didn’t miss the blessings of God in each day. She learned the art of gratitude.

As I said, no commentary needed. Enjoy the blessing of today!!

 

15 Comments so far ↓

  1. Danny and I both are so grateful for all the days God is gracing to us. It could be otherwise . . .
    Blessings, Bill!

  2. Linda Stoll says:

    oh this hit me hard.

    ‘it might have been otherwise.’

    you’ve made my eyes brim full, Bill.

  3. Betty Draper says:

    Ace and I have had many “otherwise’s” in the past 53 years. How blessed we are.

  4. Dan says:

    Bill,

    Along a similar vein is this thought called “There’s Always A Day Before”.

    http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/holy-week-there-is-always-a-day-before-imonk-classic

    It helps to keep life in perspective.

  5. There is much to be grateful for. All the voices, all the clamoring wants to take us away from living in thankfulness, but He’s a good God, a good Father. Thanks for the reminder, Bill.

  6. Lisa notes says:

    Oh wow. We never know what will happen in any given day. So yes I want to be grateful to God in THIS day, every day. Thanks, Bill!

  7. floyd says:

    Good reminder of how delicate and short this life is.

    I dropped by to check in because I haven’t been receiving your posts? I thought you were taking a break.

    Technology. Just when you count on it…

  8. TC Avey says:

    I got goose bumps reading this and teary eyed. We never know what tomorrow holds. We cannot predict our next breath.
    A blogging friend of mine once shared on her blog, “I did something today that I can’t take any credit for…I woke up.”

    Sorry I’ve been absent from blogging. Life has taken on extra responsibilities and time is limited. I pray one day to have more time to blog and read my fellow bloggers posts, but that time is not right now. I do as much as I can.
    Thank you for your service to God’s kingdom. I appreciate your blog and you are in my prayers.
    Happy Holidays!