Searchings: Rocks Revelations Rainbows

By Sybil Austin Skakle

SEARCHINGS by Sybil Austin Skakle, a collection of poems, span a lifetime. The subtitle: Rocks, Revelations and Rainbows indicate the means by which the author learned to draw closer to God. "Rocks" symbolize trials on lifes road. "Revelations" and "rainbows" are insights and blessings.

Poems of struggle to remain loving and obedient in face of human rejection and misunderstanding appear throughout the work, as do the insights regarding certain Bible characters, stories and passages. Her spiritual journey includes the losses of loved ones to death, pain of divorce and alienation. The poem "Loves Defense" expresses the truth that Love, as God is love, enables one to love beyond oneself. Lifes ultimate victory is this freedom, possible only with Gods help.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 3, 2001
• ISBN: 9781462807529

Sybil Austin Skakle

Sybil Austin Skakle, a retired pharmacist, writes poetry and prose, which have appeared in anthologies, newspapers and college reviews. Most recently, she participated as a contributor and editor for a book project of Chapel Hill Senior Center Writer's Discussion Group: A Generation Speaks- Voices of the Great Depression, now available.

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Copyright © 2001 by Sybil Austin Skakle.

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Contents

PERSONALLY YOURS

ADONIS

CAUGHT IN CLAY

DEPRESSION

ENMITY

PLEASE, TAKE AWAY MY BARS

CONFLICTING MOODS

ATONEMENT

SALVATION

FORGIVENESS

PRAYER OF SURRENDER

SEARCHINGS

INVITATION

SONG OF SILENCE

TALKING ABOUT SPARROWS

THE IMPERISHABLE GIFT

DADDY WATCHER

REFLECTIONS AFTER FATHER’S DEATH

MY MOTHER’S HANDS

ODE TO MAMA

JUDAS ISCARIOT

APOLOGY

ANSWERING REJECTION

PSALM OF NEED

LOVE’S DEFENSE

DIAGNOSIS

PROGNOSIS

ADAM

MISSING CHRISTMAS

BARABBAS

BUTTERFLY

SONG OF TRUSTING

ONE VINE*

THE TEMPLE

FIRST DAY OF APRIL

PSALM OF SACRED PLACE

LAMENT FOR AMERICA

REMEMBERING

SAYING GOOD-BYE

LOVE NEVER FAILS *

WALKING ON WATER

FRIENDSHIP REWARDS

THRESHOLD

DELIVERANCE

CONTENTMENT

HOPE

JOY IN THE MORNING

PROVIDENCE

THE FALL

PURGATORY

REBELLION

WEEPING WATER

NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS IN MAY

VOLKSMARCHING* IN MEXICO ON SUNDAY

GLACIER STREAMS OF SWITZERLAND

DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN, 1993

SUNDAY IN KEHL, GERMANY

ORIGINAL SIN

LIFE’S MEANING

THERESE OF LISIEUX

TEACHER

SEASCAPE

SAFETY

EGYPT

JERUSALEM

THE SHOPPER

AT THE ALTAR

ANSWERING FOR PETER

RECEIVING HEALING

GUIDANCE

THE CANAANITE WOMAN and JESUS

CROSSING JORDAN

FISH SONG

TENNIS TEMPO

WORKING WITH WOOD

WAITING for ANDY at SHONEY’S

MAMAYEV HILL MEMORIAL

OUR PRIVILEGE

PLANET FRED

POET’S LAMENT

WATER MUSING on a HOT, DRY

JULY DAY

ORACLE OF DELPHI

KALAMBAKA, GREECE

LOVE CAN

A CLAY CHALICE

WEATHER

BREAKING OUT

SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

YEAR’S END

EASTER

Endnotes

To all those who helped me

in my quest for God

and for answers to my humanity.

My parents, family, friends, teachers,

pastors by their love guided me.

And writers, composers, media producers

furthered my journey by sharing theirs.

PERSONALLY YOURS

This collection of poems, written over a period of many years, shows God’s dealing with me. The poems, very personal, show passages as I sought to be Christ’s disciple through pain and con- flicts of many sorts.

From God I learned that I am dependent on Him for my strength and on Jesus for my righteousness. Whenever, I congratulate myself, thinking I am winning the battle with my humanity, I am confronted by my weaknesses. I rely on God’s mercy and on your compassion as you read and share my struggle.

While I knew about Him early, I was in midlife before I knew how loving ABBA really is and trusted His love enough to surrender all to Him. God took me through self-doubt, feelings of betrayal, rejection and grief to bring me to Himself. Lessons, sometimes discernible, were at other times unclear. I learned to trust God’s purpose, no matter what the circumstances and to walk by faith, not sight or feeling.

My faith has grown deeper. I know there is no holiness apart from Him and now trust His unconditional love for me all the time. From Adonis to Love’s Defense, from Caught in Clay to triumphant Easter, I evolved until I acknowledged God’s sovereignty in my life. I believe He is working our His purpose for me and for those I love with unconditional