Apologies to the moon

Hi!

So I saw the moon out in the day and thought, "hmm, that's queer..." and then wrote this poem. I hope you enjoy it. Just for a little setting, I was driving by Drake park when the day moon caught my glance. Golden leaves were falling all around giving off a golden hue. It was an ethereal circumstance and I couldn't stop thinking about all of the vibrant colors and then the moon on top of it all... here we go :) 

I'm sorry moon, for pretending that you were the sun

I didn't mean to paint you into the day

But when I realized what I was doing, it was already done

Sometimes I think I see your shape among the clouds

Or that you a tree, stood here beside me

I should have stayed silent, let you still in your darkened shrouds

My eyes have told a lie, led me far away from true sight

So moon, stay in the night! 

summer, winter, spring or fall, they all become night and then

YOU! moon, disappear from this cluttered view

The shimmering light of day you're running to

If you were the leaf falling, golden and crisp from that proud tree

Would you glance my brow? or just another stepping stone for my feet would you be?

But no, ever changing globe of cheese

in the night is where you weep, for you can feel his warmth

but the sun burns out of reach 

and I, somewhere in between

Thanks for reading! I know it's a bit weird and I thank you for reading in spite of that.

Sincerely,

Branden Thomas Carpenter

Everyone is waiting on love

I wrote a song called Everyone is waiting on Love a while ago in order to draw awareness to the fact that if everyone is waiting then no one will ever actually be loved. It was a call to action, an obvious observation that I, oh so easily... forgot. 

I slowly started to realize my state of digression whilst talking to Phil about Bo Sterns' blog on marriage and the requirements of that one special person. It's pretty funny, really, reading something like that, and all the responses from other women. I realize that I am not the intended audience, but still, I read it and it gave me something to shoot for among other things.

More importantly, I was forced to re-think my previous thoughts regarding what I look for in someone. I guess I need to tell you what those thoughts are, before I continue.

I really just got tired of making lists of expectations, and more than that I realized that no matter how much I contrived plans, they would be foiled because His is greater. She will love Jesus, I know that. And we will be headed in the same direction, I know that also. I think God is spontaneous and great and more than that omnipotent and omniscient. He alone knows, and I can't wait to be surprised and taken back when he reveals it to me. 

Which leads me to my knew standard: What I look for in a significant other is God's plan. I pray for it and search for it and live from moment to moment by it. I believe that if I stay true and faithful to God, I will see his plan unraveling in that person and in life. I trust that, I really do. I trust it because He is so good in all other aspects of my life, He is good! 

If I could write to that person it would go something like this: 

Dear future wife,

Hi!  Here are some things I've been thinking about and I really wanted to tell you. Don't try to be something that you are not. Don't hold back from letting God take control of your life, don't give up on your dreams because people say you should be a certain way, and don't worry! You are beautiful and great! Just keep your eyes on Him and he will guide you and someday we will meet and celebrate because He is so good, so true, so loving. Shine with His light! Praise Him in everything you do. He is good. 

That's all I can really write without knowing the sort of things they would be interested in, you know, like the admiration of toast and it's simplicity and tastiness. 

Ok, back to "waiting on love." It is contrary to the way Jesus lived and the way he wants us to live. I'm sorry but I'm not going to wait, I'm going to go out there and stinking love some people and hopefully stick to His plan very closely. Just like Cassie said in her enthusiastic blog that I love "Can we just love some people" (that may not be exactly right, but you get the Idea. Sorry Cassie). When we serve and love, we will find truth, and Jesus, and all the desires of our hearts.

I hope this can be encouraging to all of us young people looking for Mr. or Ms. right. Remember how you got to where you are, remember He that created you, and remember that He is an awesome God just waiting to show you how good He is. 

Sincerely,

Branden Thomas Carpenter

not yet...

a fleeting sunset, you grasp for the golden rays of light but cannot hold on to it's beauty. An awkward feeling rises within you as if you stumbled upon this phenomenon before you ought. With every blink it changes, and solidifies the reality that in moments there will be dark in a place of warm, perfect, breathtaking light. Thinking back, there are so many things you wish you would have admired about it, or at least appreciated the brief moment more, but it's too late. You are thankful for the unexpected glimpse, but sorely reminded that something is missing, an insatiable void left in place of what seemed so perfect and infinite. And so, you let the dark void devour the light, clinging to the glimmer of hope that only tomorrow can bring, though, I doubt very much the auburn lady will pass our way again soon. 

Sincerely,

Branden