Random Thoughts of Amy Potts

I am from bean fields and corn and from Iowa from a house that was large and full. I am from hollyhocks whose flowers were made into dolls I am from a town whose boundaries  seemed endless though so small. I am from dreaming and imagining;  from playmates, pets and playgrounds I am from conversations with Pat and Rose,  with Carol Johns  and Mrs. Delambert; Gertrude was her name. From piano lessons and the prairie song I am from black cherry soda at the baseball park in summer I am from a small school whose teachers taught more  than academics;  about life and caring and fun. I am from the wrong side of town  where I was often looked down upon; from hand sewn clothes and hand-me-downs. I am from homemade bread and milk fresh from the cow Because it was cheaper than the store brands. From garden grown vegetables and oatmeal with currents I am from homemade stew. I am from a small school wher...

Being 19 or 20 and still single is hard.  The awkwardness of dating and dead end relationships is frustrating at best. That and watching your friends get married leaving you in the dust of wishes and dreams, is a cruel reality.  You wish for that special someone to come along and you dream of family and dinner at the table each night.  I remember those days. Then one day it happens.  We find the person we dreamed of being married to, or maybe we settled for someone who had at least one of the traits we hoped to find.  No matter the case our lives seemed to have been made complete according to the unwritten rules of society.  Man + woman = happily ever after. Right?  Away we go to every event, every family gathering with our spouse.  Somehow in our wedded bliss we forget about the ones who until the day we found Prince Charming, celebrated our joys and held us in our sadness; those who believed in us when we doubted ourselves.  Maybe it’s not ...

Softly she climbs up the stairs hoping to escape the glares Another day another fight she slips away in to the night Years go by she runs a race trying to forget that place She carries all her guilt and shame and thinks that God forgot her name She cries for her freedom Out of the blue he came to her rescue lifted her up from her shame He knew her name he felt her pain he held each tear that she cried he cried for her freedom Painfully he walked that road carrying my heavy load And on that day he saw my face He knew my shame would need His grace He cried for my freedom Along with the celebration of our Nation's independence, I'm celebrating another kind of freedom today.  To those who have been hurt and abused and have found freedom, I celebrate with you.  To those who are still waiting in line for that moment, I pray for you and hope that you will find your freedom soon. Blessings this day, Amy Lynn

Courtship or dating if you prefer is at best an awkward time of getting to know a person who may become your life companion.  Communication is vital during this time and especially if you are dating from a distance as Mike and I did.  We talked on the phone for nearly four hours one evening, we found reason to have unlimited text message plans and we sent a lot of e-mail.  Communication to the max!  We needed this because we had both been in lengthy relationships prior.  One day I received an e-mail that for a second derailed this love story.  Mike was describing his social life when I read, or rather thought I read, "tonight I'm going to tour the strip bar malls of Overland Park". STRIP BAR malls?!  He is going to a strip bar mall?!!  I was horrified.  What had I gotten myself into?  I thought I had better re-read that sentence just to make sure what I had read before I dumped the chump.  I am so glad I did!  Because what he h...

Time Will Tell Amy Lynn Michael Out of the shadows into the light A battle each day for my soul I will fight One step forward two steps back Some things will fall between the cracks I will press on with Christ by my side Humbly I’ll walk relinquish my pride Only striving to finish this day Tomorrow’s not here won’t wish it away I can’t walk back and fix what’s behind The path before me is where I will find Trials and pain, joy in the race Shame washed away shattered by grace I don’t understand why God chose me To fight this battle where others can see There must be a reason for a heart laid bare Before the skeptics and those unaware I wish I could know how my life will end I can’t see down the road around the bend Only God knows the time and the hour When in my life He will release His power I only know in my human frailty That God will be strongest when I bow my knee I will fight this fight I will fight it well And one day I will win, only time will tell. I found this poem ...

These days when I hear someone say, “God told me…” I have a tendency to cringe; and most of the time it is noticeable.   I have however, managed in some situations to be respectful of the person delivering the divine revelation.   It’s not that I don’t believe people still hear the voice of God as they did in Moses’ days.   I just think that more often than not our opinion is burning hotter than the bush that Moses encountered.   In an effort to be taken seriously we think it necessary to preface our words with, God told me.   Somehow this little phrase will make everything ok if the person on the receiving end doesn’t like what we have said, or is hurt by it.   Have you ever been the person on the receiving end of a “divine revelation”?   I have been both blessed by this and hurt.   I have been blessed when someone called because while they were reading scripture or praying, I was on their mind and they prayed for me.   They called to share ...

Clown White makeup A painted smile Cover your misery Just for awhile Spotlight turns It's all your show Fear inside Nobody will know They laugh as your carry on your routine Night after night same old scene The crowd is now gone as they dim the last light You turn away and walk into the night Wash your face take a bow Look in the mirror, dear. Who are you now? It's a weird little poem that won't win any awards but it describes the person I was several years ago.  I came to place in life realizing that keeping up an image is so much more work than just being who I am. Are you ready to wash your face?  When you are I pray that there will be those who believe in you close at hand.  I don't even have to know your name to know that your "image" is not near as beautiful as what lies beneath. Thanks for stopping by.... Amy Lynn