The Roman Soldier - a poem

I wrote this for a magazine contest...I did not get selected, however, I feel it is more than good enough to be shared.

 

This poem is based on the account of the soldiers in Matthew 28:4-14.  I end without the soldier asking forgiveness as we simply do not know if that took place, however, I feel at least one of them could have had the feelings and experience I have described here.  Hope you enjoy it!

 

The Roman Soldier

The throng that day was fierce, yelling “Crucify, crucify”,

Just another day to me, just another man on a tree.

Who really knew if he was guilty or not?

Surely it did not matter, he was only a Jew.

And I was just doing my job, questioning why was not done.

Later I would lament over this, God’s son.

 

Assigned with two others to guard his grave,

From who or what was not known, again questions not asked.

When Pilate gave orders you simply performed the task.

What boredom we thought, what craziness we mused,

Why would anyone want to steal a body from this common man’s tomb?

Who could have imagined the events that would unfold so soon.

 

Sleep overcame as the monotonous assignment labored on,

Then, the third morning, like lightening it dawned!

Rumbling, grumbling, the Earth pitched to and fro,

Brilliance never before witnessed, power like nothing we’d seen,

Not a dream, the women witnessed the same sight,

We all stood as statues, such was our fright.

 

Assurance from this heavenly being that fear should be joy

Truth of who this commoner really was began to flood my soul.

Summoned by the chief priests now wishing we did not see,

Bribery put blood on my hands, how I wanted to flee!

Lies, all lies!  We helped an innocent die!

God help me, what have I been part of, my plaintive cry.

Fierce Marriage Book Review

I was first introduced to Ryan and Selena Frederick via their website last year.  I was going through a very difficult season personally, professionally and especially physically and it was all taking a toll on my marriage.  I was looking for help and advice anywhere I could find it and lo and behold there they were in my Google search!

I read a little about their story online and then began to devour (yes, gobble up every soundbite and word I could find!) every video and blog post they had shared.  And it was so good!

When the opportunity came to join the Fierce Wives Facebook group I was glad to be part of a larger community of women speaking life into one another, sharing their struggles and their praise stories.  It feels good when you know you are not alone.  That others have the same struggles.  That you are normal.

(If you are a wife looking for community, check it out here)

Then came time for their book launch to begin and I was accepted to be on the launch team which has been so exciting!

To be transparent I did receive this book free as a member of the book launch team.  That being said, I would buy more of them to give to any friend about to get married, going through a difficult time in marriage, etc., as it is an excellent resource and tool for strengthening your relationship!  

The honesty and rawness of their relationship is on display in this book with the wisdom of scripture to back up their teaching on how living out your marriage the way God intended yields beautiful results!  

I appreciate the work Ryan and Selena put into this book...it is not just a religious work, nor is it just a self-help book...it is the best of both.  Offering practical tips, sound Biblical wisdom and real world situations that we can all relate to makes this one of the best books on marriage I have come across.  In the season my life has been in the last year to eighteen months, I have read several books, articles and visited counselors regarding marriage help for crisis situation.  This book spoke truth into so many areas and helped me see why I had stumbled for so long trying to do things my way.  

Get this book, read it, then read it again with a highlighter in hand.  Then read it again with your spouse.  Each time you will glean new truths.  Then buy some for your friends.  They will thank you for it!