Comment from Kit Nongkhlaw

Exceptional

Yes, Jesus graced our thirsting life. Not only that but He is all in all. What a beautiful poem on the Love of Christ and our dependent on his grace. Thanks for sharing and all the very best in the contest, Kit.

 Comment Written 09-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 09-Oct-2021

Thank you very much, Kit, for this encouraging and outstanding review, the six stars and your good wishes for the contest. Your wonderful review means a lot. I'm so glad you loved the poem. God bless you and wishing you the best for your endeavors.
Prayerfully, Mary Kay

reply by Kit Nongkhlaw on 10-Oct-2021

It is my pleasure, Kit

Comment from Jasmine Girl

Exceptional

What a beautiful sonnet about God. It's beautifully written and expressed your faith. I really like the following line:
I turn to Christ, the Prince of Peace.

I wish you best of luck in the contest. I think you should win.

Exceptionally done.

 Comment Written 08-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 08-Oct-2021

Thank you so much, Lisa, for this beautiful review, your encouraging remarks and especially for the six stars, wow! Yes, I would like to win the contest, but if Jesus wins people?s hearts, for me, that's more important :-)
I'm sure there will be many contestants, but thank you so much! Your kindness is much appreciated. May God bless you, my friend.
Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Artasylum

Excellent

This is a lovely, passionate piece... the presentation was straightforward and sweet without guile and I especially love that. Thanks for sharing your gift Mary Kay and I look forward to reading more of your faithful thoughts. your, di

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Oct-2021

Dear Di,
Thank you for your beautiful review, the five stars and your thoughtful comments. It's interesting that you used the phrase "without guile," because I originally had written another stanza instead of stanza 3, but decided that it really didn't fit me; it wasn't exactly right. So I waited until I had a fresh burst of inspiration, and wrote a completely new stanza to replace it, which was true to my experience. Thank you for reading carefully, with sensitivity. May God bless you, my friend. Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Irish Rain

Excellent

This is just such a beautiful sonnet. I love how you share your faith in Christ, Son of the Living God. Best of luck to you in this contest Miss Mary, blessings...

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Oct-2021

Thank you so much, Ms. Irish Rain, for your beautiful review, the five stars and your kind remarks. He is a wonderful Savior indeed, and the only One we have to turn to! May God bless you and your family.
Love, Mary Kay xoxo

reply by Irish Rain on 01-Oct-2021

Thank YOU!!! I agree, and God bless your Sunday!!

Comment from Father Flaps

Excellent

Hi Mary Kay,
Nice entry for the contest. It would have worked well in a Faith poetry contest as well.
"When Jesus graced my longing life" ... I know exactly what you mean by "longing", but I would have used "hung'ring". "Longing" implies you know what you're searching for. But a non-Christian doesn't know that. This is the way I see it, anyway.
It's a shame you need to use "light" twice in that first verse.
"When Jesus graced my longing life,
He came with sweet (light), shining bright;
no matter trouble, grief or strife,
I've never walked without His (light)."

"He said, all you who labor, "Come!" ... God isn't forceful. He wants us to decide for ourselves. All that He will do is invite you. Some hear His call. Many don't.

"When fears or doubts arise within,
or troubles swirl on stormy seas" ... I think of Peter, wanting to walk out to Jesus on the water. He actually did, for a few steps! But then he took his eyes off Christ, and he began to sink. Nice alliteration with "swirl on stormy seas".
Nicely penned!
Good Luck in the contest!
Hugs,
Kimbob

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2021

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reply by the author on 29-Sep-2021

Kimbob, thank you very much for your very detailed and thorough review.
Yes, a few reviewers have suggested that I might have entered this in the Faith Poetry contest. I think I didn't, because the deadline was too far ahead, but I may have chosen the wrong contest-- besides which, a No Rules contest might favor more unconventional forms. But winning certainly isn't everything!

Regarding "longing" vs. "hung'ring," I'm not sure I like "hung'ring," but I may change it to "thirsting."

As for using "light" twice, it was exactly what I meant, but ... I may change the first instance to "sweet truth." Now truth isn't always sweet, but somehow, His light was. So His truth should be, also; Jesus IS the truth. His truth saved my soul.

As far as the emphatic, "Come!" is concerned, I was thinking more of when Jesus called forth Lazarus from the grave; "Lazarus, come forth!" I don't think Jesus was forcing Lazarus to come out here, but exerting sufficient power in the face of death. In the same way, He wasn't forcing me to come to Him, but merely got my attention. I don't know if I would want to change that, or if I should. You may still think it's too forceful, but I don't know.

I really appreciate your critical review very much. I know that as a brother in Christ, you appreciate the importance that nuances of meaning can have, when expressing our faith to others. God bless you, so much!
Hugs,
Mary Kay

Comment from nomi338

Exceptional

Your wonderful poetic work is spirit inspired. The various references to scripture encourages curious ones to read and investigate, and that is a very good thing. When you write faith based poetry those who read it and are thus encouraged to read the Bible for their selves will learn and benefit from the exposure. Very good work.

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Oct-2021

Dear Nomi, I was very heartened and uplifted by your beautiful and sincere review of my poem. It means a lot to me. Thank you for everything you wrote, and for the exceptional rating of six.
May God?s blessings to you overflow!
- Mary Kay

reply by nomi338 on 01-Oct-2021

You are very welcome, I have recently discovered you and my intention is to read everything you post going forward.

reply by the author on 01-Oct-2021

Thank you very much, Nomi my friend. I hope you're not disappointed, as I don't write exclusively spiritual material, but I hope that when I do write it, it's pleasing to God and edifying to people. Many blessings to you, my brother. - Mary Kay

reply by nomi338 on 02-Oct-2021

I have just recently began to concentrate of spiritually based material. I have written on many subjects over the years. As a matter of fact my next post will not be bible based. I expect some readers to be offended somewhat, but I feel it is necessary to be said.

reply by the author on 02-Oct-2021

Thanks for sharing that, Nomi. I will be looking out for your posts, as well.
We can't be expected to agree with everything everyone writes -- especially these days; nor for everyone to agree with us. Many blessings to you, my brother.

Comment from Gracie619

Excellent

What a wonderfully written poem. I enjoyed this so much with my afternoon tea that I had to read it more than twice. Very emotional for me. Thanks for sharing this and keep writing! God bless.

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Oct-2021

Thank you very much, Gracie. I love your beautiful and personal review! Thank you for everything, including your meaningful comments and the five stars. We are indeed blessed to know the Lord!
God bless you always, my sister. Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

This is a very beautiful and very true poem you have penned. You used great imagery and very good descriptive words. Thank you so much for sharing my friend. love and blessings, Teri

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Oct-2021

Thank you very much, Teri, for your excellent and uplifting review, the five stars and your encouragement in the Lord. I praise God that we both love Him!
You have such a sweet profile picture. God bless you and your family. Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

Your faith in Jesus Christ comes out so clearly, Mary Kay, and every word is true. Your author's notes are also commendable, they give us so much to think about. I really enoyed reading your words, my friend, a wonderful poem. Warm hugs. Sandra xxx

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Oct-2021

Thank you so much, Sandra for your beautiful review, the five stars and your meaningful encouragement. I appreciate all that you wrote. May God bless you, my sister. Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Goodadvicechan

Excellent

One's life will not be complete without hope and protection. In this poem, you belief of Jesus taking care of your life is great for you.

As you said, "When fears or doubts arise within,
or troubles swirl on stormy seas;
else battlefields tempt me to sin,
I turn to Christ, the Prince of Peace." This is hope and faith. With these elements, one can move forward and hope for the better.

Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Oct-2021

Thank you very much, Goodadvicechan, for your excellent review, the five stars and your thoughtful comments. I am happy that my hope in Christ is reflected in my poem, even though I never used the word "hope" itself. Jesus gives my life hope and meaning, like never before. May God bless you too, my friend. - Mary Kay