Kaleidosouls: Mirrors of the Light

By Patricia Norman Rachal

KaleidoSouls: Mirrors of the Light is a collection of poems all about God, His graciousness and goodness, who He is, and who we are in Jesus. Kaleidoscopes have mirrors in them, and when light shines into the opening, beautiful reflections are seen. We are like kaleidoscopes, mirroring the image of Jesus. When He, the Light, shines in us, beautiful images reflect onto others. Without His Light, everything within us would be a jumbled mess, but He shines into our souls and makes everything beautiful. Thus, we are the KaleidoSouls mirroring His beauty.

KaleidoSouls not only features poetry but has Scripture on almost every page to enhance the meaning of the poem.These poems are gleaned from relationships and solitudes, happiness and sorrows, regrets and victories, friends and family, holidays and traditions, and many other places where you will find yourself. They tell stories of how Jesus changes people's lives and how He is reflected from them. You will find encouragement, hope, love, and insight within these pages. The poems tell about God and His mercies and love and how His Word can be used in our lives. May you find the words you would like to say to someone you love, someone you wish to encourage, or to yourself in a time of personal solitude.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449733346

Patricia Norman Rachal

Mrs. Rachal has been writing since her conversion to Christianity October 30, 1980, and has been the recipient of several poetry awards. She says her greatest inspiration comes from the “new creation experience” of 2 Corinthians 5:17–21. KaleidoSouls is her seventh eBook and third print book.

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Copyright © 2012 Patricia Norman Rachal

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-3335-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-3334-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011961847

Printed in the United States of America

WestBow Press rev. date: 2/25/2012

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Part One: God in Us

Only One Hero

Jesus: He is All

God Transformed

Peace That Passes Understanding

A Refreshing and a Rest

The Foundation

The Woman at the Well

Children of God

A Change

I Believe

Jesus

A Soul’s Destiny

The Marriage

Declaration of Confidence

Part Two: Our Healer and Our Refuge

Silent Tears

The Healer

The Hem of His Garment

A Cleansing Storm

I’ll Carry the Load

Awake! Oh, Burdensome Hearts

Shepherd Jesus

Part Three: Prayer and Praise

Time to Pray

Prayer of Dedication

Fellowship Sweet

Marriage Prayer

What We Say

Words

A Chorus of Praise

A Love Song to Jesus

Jesus Messiah Lord

Children’s Chapel

Part Four: Hope and Encouragement

God is With You

Be Encouraged

A Word of Comfort

Jesus is the Light

A Sign of the Time

Immediate Obedience

I Hear You Calling

I Want to Live Again

Part Five: Love

With This Ring

Lasting Impressions

Love Lives

Memories are Lasting

Death by Whose Hand

Your Love

If I Could Love You

Part Six: Family

For You Because I Love You

Kelly

Grandfathers Are Special

Home in Our Hearts

My Brother

A Father’s Love

My Sister

MaEmeryls

Part Seven: Friends

A Special Kind of Friend

A Moment in Time

I’ll Stand Beside You

To My Friend

Am I Losing My Friend?

My Special Sister

Part Eight: God and His Word

God’s Word Is

No Ordinary Book

The Picture

Part Nine: Salvation and Grace

The Cross

When Jesus Came

The Crowd

Jesus at Gethsemane

Your Blood Lord Jesus

Grace

The Crucifixion

He Bore the Cross for Me

The Crown

Heaven

Part Ten: Celebrations and Traditions

Mary and the Master

The Best Christmas

A Halloween Poem

The Longest Day

A Graduate’s Prayer

First Graders with Class

Not a Birthday Card

About the Title

About the Author

Bonus Section: God’s Glorious Symphony

References

For Emily, a little KaleidoSoul, because you are a writer at heart

Jesus shines His light in us and we are like kaleidoscopes mirroring back His image in so many beautiful ways for others to see Him. He foreknew us and predestined us to be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). We, as looking into a mirror, reflect the glory of the Lord and are changed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthian 3:18).

Preface

KaleidoSouls: Mirrors of the Light is a collection of poetry about the beauty of Christ mirrored through us in so many superbly different ways that those who are searching may see Him. KaleidoSouls has Scripture with each poem to enhance its meaning. Poetry is usually, if not always, an expression of feelings coming from deep within one’s soul. As I write, I cannot take full credit for the flow and intensity of these poems. I write as God moves within me and His goodness and love flows from the ink of my soul to the pages you are reading.

Every person has potential, and God has a plan for all of us. Some are the artists of the soccer field scoring for the team; there are those who stir up the dust of the rodeo arena staying on the full eight seconds; a few hold the breathtaking talent of gliding gracefully with ease and beauty down the ski slopes still standing when they reach the bottom. Or who can outshine the ice skaters’ poise and grace as they figure-eight with ease on a sheet of ice, or the ballet dancers’ beauty as they so perfectly move to the music and the rhythm of their partner telling a story with their dance? Many artists act out their expressions on stage in various art forms while some are artists who paint on a canvas. Some are writers whose ink spots make a great performance between the covers of a book. We don’t want center stage, can’t make a beautiful picture of brush strokes dipped in colorful paints. Instead, we splash pictures of our souls onto a page and hope others are touched in a special way at the depths of their soul by the beauty of an infinite God who gives all the wonderful gifts and talents to His children. How thankful I am for His gifts and callings in me! There is none good, not one, but as willing instruments He allows us to be vessels through whom His beauty shines.

I wish to acknowledge friends—especially Carolyn and Beverly—and family who have helped me to recognize and develop the author–the artist–in me. You have in so many ways taught me to be a KaleidoSoul, mirroring the Light of Jesus. You know who you are and how much I love and appreciate you. Kelly, Vicki, Jodi, Erin, Emily, Rylee and Maria you are my greatest joy. Joe, you have loved me through it all and I love you.

Introduction

KaleidoSouls: Mirrors of the Light is all about God, His graciousness and goodness, who He is and who we are in Jesus. It is about the kaleidoscope of our souls as reflected from the light of Jesus. These poems are gleaned from relationships and solitudes, happiness and sorrows, regrets and victories, friends and family, holidays and traditions and many other places where you will find yourself. It is my hope that you will find the words you would like to say to someone you love, someone you wish to encourage, or to yourself in a time of personal solitude or curled up in your favorite reading spot enjoying the peace and tranquility of quiet time with God.

It seemed only fitting that the bonus section God’s Glorious Symphony be included in this volume although it is not poetry in its traditional form. But it paints a beautiful picture of God and Nature intermingling with each other. As you read it, surround yourself in a beautiful setting of woods where you watch the wind blow and the rabbits, squirrels and birds communicate with God. They are His creatures within His creation and it is awesome to watch it all unfold. God is good and I hope you enjoy reading about Him as much as I enjoy writing about Him.

Part One: God in Us

The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come,

and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.

Jeremiah 51:10 KJV

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power