The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling

Written by Justina Braun May 10, 2013

There was this girl,

She cared not for fame and pearls.

Life for her was kind of simple,

And when she smiled, out came a pair of dimples.

Old fashion is what they called her,

Yet how she handled it, I’m not sure.

She was often considered the ugly duckling,

And often looked upon as anything but darling.

Her growing up years must have been tough,

Because her friendships were always off.

Did she try to make friends?

Yes, but she was different and didn’t blend.

Low and behold, what a surprise,

No more ugly duckling, because she left at sunrise.

Classroom that day felt somewhat empty,

Question was, had they been a little too trendy?

Several years had passed,

And the news of ugly duckling returning was the broadcast.

Many questions were asked, one being if she planned to only stay the night?

Or if she would stay, which they all feared she might.

Sometime that week, the day is still unclear,

A visitor arrived, and everyone wanted to be near.

She captured the eyes of many, for her beauty was a sight,

And her clothes she wore were quite bright.

This women was so sweet and kind,

It didn’t take long to befriend many small hearts and minds.

They begged her to teach and to stay,

For she need not worry, her room and board would be paid.

She introduced herself as Sue,

And of her past only she knew.

The kids loved the stories she told,

They couldn’t hear enough, the stories never got old.

Meanwhile, everyone wondered if ugly duckling would never make her appearance.

Had they all been too busy with Sue to not notice her presence?

After a month or two,

Some started noticing Sue’s actions were the same as ugly duckling who they once knew.

Sue couldn’t hide any longer, and told them of her move.

She’d been the duckling that needed a change, so of her they would approve.

She told them that people change,

And that no matter the outward appearance, it was wrong to think them strange.

This small village remembered how they had caused Sue sorrow,

And the lesson learned would be remembered for all tomorrows.

To this day, acceptance is for all,

There is no one too different, fat, or too tall.

Grow Wings and Fly

Grow Wings and Fly

Written by Justina Braun / April 1, 2013

Something I’ve had to learn in my life is saying goodbye,

And this isn’t something always done with a cry!

I’ve come to the understanding that in order for me to grow, I have to take wings and fly,

And one great example is learned from watching the butterfly!

It steps out of its cocoon knowing full well that life is more than staying right there.

 Slow but surely he spreads his wings and takes that leap of faith into the air!

He stayed home when being just a caterpillar, but when he matured into a butterfly, he let go,

And just like that, he starts his journey and leaves that which he knows!

He has full faith that his Creator will provide every need.

Just like that caterpillar was meant for much more than staying just a caterpillar, same was for me.

My first time stepping out into the unknown world was when I was around fourteen.

My dad needed help with the store, so he took me out of school and all I wanted was to scream.

School was important to me, and so for my homeschooling my dad promised he’d pay,

Now the goal was set, plus if I finished, a reward would be given to me at the end of that day.

That’s where I started and I accomplished much more than just school and work in that time,

I learned many important parts of life, and became who I’m today in that lifetime.

After nine years of working at the store, my life changed to a new path.

To think I’d worked for so many years to just leave it all behind, but it wasn’t hard math.

Life is all about expecting changes when things go great or terrible,

And knowing that I’m being a help, makes leaving home so much more bearable.

I wasn’t created to stay in the cocoon all my life,

And I know I’m not over all hard strife.

This journey is only beginning, and I’m not sure what I’ll find,

  I know whatever the encounter will be; there will be many more hard problems to unbind.

Life is a mystery, expect the unexpected,

Then you’ll be expecting the expected.

Let go and sore, only then will you grow and become who you are made to be.

And don’t worry how it will come to an end; doing your best at where you are is the key.

Life here on earth isn’t meant to be easy,

So get your priorities straight and find some funny moments and be cheesy.

Live life for God and do your daily chores to please him,

Then all your hardships you face will become easier to carry, plus your troubles will fade and become dim.

Part #2 Letting Go

Part #2

Letting Go

Written by Justina Braun

Many days have come and gone,

Still our darker days have no end; there are many plans still undone!

Lord, all our earthly possessions are gone as You can see,

And I want to thank You for providing a new home for me.

I’m letting go, it’s not in my hands any longer,

And I know only with You Lord, will I become stronger.

From where I’m standing, it is way too big a climb to the top of the hill.

We’re your servants, please provide guidance which I know in Your time, You will!

I’m letting go of everything I have ever known,

Lord, I’m giving it all into Your hands, Your control, and for Your throne.

I’m giving You my future, because You alone know the way.

You created me for a reason, mold my clay.

  The last few months have been dark and somewhat of a gloom.

And yet that won’t get me down, because it isn’t my doom!

Instead, I know that I have my future of eternity in sight.

And keeping this in mind, I’ve gained new courage to keep shining my light!

I realize through these hard times, You’re teaching me to trust that You’ll hold me and I won’t fall.

I know I can depend on You, Lord, when I’m against a wall.

I’m letting go and know that it’s in Your hand,

And whatever is best, You’ll know where it’s need most and I’ll understand!

Here on earth is no guarantee of forever,

Thanks for showing me where my priorities need to be, I want my ever after.

The sun continues to shine and I see proof of Your care,

Your Beauty and Love that is displayed is a beauty that’s rare!

Caught by Surprise

Part # 1

Caught by Surprise

Written by Justina Braun Feb.9/13

Life started off like any other day,

The birds were singing and the winds blowing the leaves astray.

The Sun had risen and the alarm shimmed,

And this only meant one thing when living like you’re being timed.

That day, my life changed in ways I can’t explain!

And all it took was one phone call that brought much pain.

It felt like we were living a night mare,

Only this time, it happened to feel very real and like no one cared.

Was it losing everything including our pride that hurt so much??

No, I highly doubt life would stop with force as such.

You may then ask why the reason for so much pain.

Nothing hurts more then being stabbed and you can’t find strength to regain.

We thought our community was one of support…

One brother suffers, there should be loving hands reaching of some sort.

Instead, there’s living proof of hearts divided.

It’s been said you can’t serve two masters, yet these two have now collided!

I’ve witness on more then one account, people living double lives!

Sunday professing to be living for the Lord; then through the week slashing things apart with knives!

I’ve always been taught to see the best in people no matter what.

Yet seeing now through a new set of eyes, you realize you can’t depend on anyone as you once thought!

Through the experience of losing everything,

I realize that this isn’t home and that one day in heaven I again will laugh and sing!

I came into this world naked and naked I will be leaving.

And one thing that can’t be taken away is my faith, I will continue believing!

We were caught by surprise when money was stolen from us.

Everything earthly has been taken away including our trust.

But there still stayed a few that will never be taken away that remain,

My family and my Eternal Father who owns it all and through this has everything to gain!

My 3 Musketeers

My 3 Musketeers

 Written by Justina Braun Feb.11/13

My gorgeous 3 musketeers,

When you’re around, I have almost no fears.

You’ve been there for me through thin and thick,

Mothered me through heart breaks and when sick.

Vero, Maria, and Lisa, I don’t know how I ever found friends like you!

I’ll always treasure all the moments spent together with you.

We’ve shared many a moments in the last years,

Crying, talking, laughing, and worrying about future fears.

I loved the venting sessions which normally took place while on walks.

Were they exciting, sad, or worry moments, there sure were many great talks!

Now, when it came time to get together to pray,

There were times when I kind of strayed.

(Which included you, cause when sleeping I was still prayingJlol.)

I want to thank you 3 musketeers for being with me,

Through the highs and in the valley below, with me there you’d be.

God gave me these lovely Angels to help me up in time of need,

And know, for you, I’ve prayed many a prayer for my musketeers to succeed!

Life isn’t over until it’s over,

Use the bumps in the road to boost you up to reach your aim sooner.

Life isn’t fair, so expect to go through hard tests on the way,

And remember, we’ve got someone fighting for us everyday!

A Hope for the Future

A Hope for the Future

Written by Justina Braun Jan. 24/13

Once upon a time, long, long ago…

There was a little community, where everything happened just so.

The day started out bright and the little people had plenty of work to get done,

 And of course work started way before the rising of the sun!

As one farmer heads out to the barn to milk the cows,

The other goes to his horses and heads out to the fields with the plow.

The women rise early to hoe the garden before the sun gets too hot in the sky,

After that, there’s always something to clean, bake, wash, and groceries to buy!

In this particular society, there lived this one peculiar family not so very far off.

This family was nothing of the rich sort, but they knew how to look tight and tough.

And if you happen to be the fly on the wall,

You’d soon see, they were full of love and happy moments and had room for all!

This family had one motto in life their father had taught them from young.

Be like Jesus in every area and always lean on Him, whose shoulders are strong.

The community wondered at the relationship they shared,

And how this family was normally happy and helping people even when sometimes it was just showing they cared.

There just so happen to come a day,

Where this fine society had become too accustomed to always getting their way.

 They had all forgotten what it meant to be one body in Christ, and worked for only themselves.

And this little family came to a point where there was nothing left on their pantry shelves.

Sofia, the youngest in the family, tells her father this,

“Dad, we are the richest family, because we are family of the king.” And she gave him a kiss.

Though for this family the times had become hard and everything was ending.

They lived with the hope that in the near future awaiting them at the end of life was their eternal friend!

They kept working and encouraging each other as best they could,

And you know, for this family, everything happened like they never thought it would!

Yes, Sofia had been right; they were the richest family on earth.

And just like Job, they stayed standing and got back twice then the amount was worth.

Prayer For My Daddy

Prayer For My Daddy

Written by Justina Braun January 7, 2013

Lord God, I bring my Daddy before you,

You know what he’s going through.

Please Lord, take his burdens away,

And open a path so that he’ll find your answers today!

Lord, my Daddy is in dire need of You.

Please work in the lives around him to stay true!

I don’t know what your plan for him is,

But Lord I know your plans are superior to his!

My Daddy has had to go through many things for others,

And yes, I know You have done much more for us then what I could image, Father!

I praise and Thank-you for your grace and mercy you give to us,

I come before you in behalf of my daddy, and know You I can trust.

Lord, I cry out to You to hear my prayer.

Almighty Father, we can’t go on without your care!

I can’t do anything with my Daddy’s pain.

I see my Daddy tough even when sometimes the tears slip down his cheeks and he tries to stay sane.

Lord, I ask of You to please give abundance of wisdom.

So that he can continue to work for your kingdom!

My Daddy has helped many a people in need,

Shelter, food, and clothing he gave and had no greed!

Lord, my Daddy now needs You.

I pray you’ll send an Angel by to help carry the load that is due!

Lord, has he not been faithful to you?

Protect him and guide him which is nothing but true!