TBT: Advice

Be what you are

and not what you’re not.

Give nothing at all

or all that you’ve got.

If you’re the kettle,

don’t call black the pot.

Don’t pester the old

nor the small tot.

Don’t be a criminal,

they always get caught.

Forget not where you come from

and all you were taught.

Sometimes make choices

right on the spot.

Put the Lord first

over all that you’ve sought.

Never be late,

always on the dot.

Don’t be greedy,

be content with your lot.

Try to make small kindnesses

generously wrought.

Believe in yourself

and give it a shot.

Background:

This first poem after having back surgery is dated from the beginning of October, so I was a few months into recovery. It was a slow process.

So is learning to take advice. Some of the items in this poem are tips that I struggled to follow when I wrote it, and, frankly, still struggle with now. “Be what you are,” “put the Lord first over all,” “never be late,” to name three that I am still learning to do.

Lord, help us be humble and wise, humble to know when we need advice and wise to know from where to accept it.

Wishing you goodness without end,

Jess