Partial Observer

Let Your Light So Shine

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Spiritual lessons from the London Olympics

While the Games of the Olympics
were contested
people asked
why’s the flame concealed
within the stad-i-um?
What it stands for is deserving
to be prominently seen.
That it’s not displayed more broadly
seems quite dumb.

But the cauldron remained hidden
from the start until the end.
Looking back,
it was a needless oversight.
Just by changing the location
of that most majestic flame
millions more could have enjoyed
its beauty bright.

Like a city on a hillside
that is visible for miles,
we are called to dispel darkness
everyday.
That’s the lesson Jesus taught us
when He called us to be light
and illuminate
the one and only way.

Let your light so shine, He chided,
that the world can clearly see
all the good we do
so God is glorified.
Do not hide it neath a bushel
or in some remote locale.
It’s a flame that should be seen
both far and wide.

* based on Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

** http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/28/oly-cauldron-controversy-day-idUSL6E8IS1PK20120728

What’s the Beef?

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Why the Chick-fil-A boycott is foul!

A fast food chain called Chick-fil-A
believes in marriages God’s way.
And that’s their right. For, after all,
this is America.

They still serve gays. They have no beef
with human rights. It’s their belief
that marriage is defined by God
and not by culture’s whim.

They do not think outside the bun
like those intent on same-sex fun.
They value things traditional.
And Sundays they are closed.

It’s kinda fishy don’t you think
that protesters should make a stink
because a chain attempts to live
by values God affirms?

If Colonel Sanders did the same
would gay folk play the boycott game?
Or would they simply order wings
and let him voice his views?

The Ultimate Olympic Champion

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Anticipating a closing ceremony to come

For God so loved the world
He refused to remain in the starting blocks of Heaven.
With a shot of inspiration,
He entered the human race
hurdling over the barrier of sin
in order to run alongside us.

Leaving His divine prerogatives behind,
He dove into the pool of culture
making a controversial splash in human history.
His form was impressive and His timing amazing.
No wonder He received a perfect score.
All the same His credentials were criticized
and His nationality called into question.

Crowned with a victor’s wreath,
He was paraded before an apathetic crowd
before He ascended the awards podium.
High and lifted up on an old rugged cross,
He bowed to His Father’s will.
No national anthem was heard that day.
Just a chorus of hisses and boos
and a dreadful dirge of death.

Collapsing from more than exhaustion,
His Olympic trial was over.
The marathon of obedience
had taken a greater toll than anyone had anticipated.

He had tasted of the thrill of victory
and the agony of defeat
as well as the indescribable satisfaction
of knowing His performance
would bring the grandstands to their feet
at the closing ceremony of time.

For every knee will bow (in Heaven and on earth)
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

A Quiz for Newlyweds

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Evaluating the first year of marriage

It’s been a year since you “I do-ed”
and made your marriage bed.
And so let’s test what you’ve achieved
as veteran newlyweds.

When tempted to assert your way
and disregard the other,
did you give in or choose to serve
the wishes of your lover?

Did you carve out a time each week
to have a special date?
Did you attempt to say each day
“I love you” to your mate?

When romance bowed to life’s demands
and passion’s flame grew dim,
did you remember feelings fade
but will return again?

Did you take walks while holding hands
and stop to smell a rose?
Did you encourage talks with God
and books by which faith grows?

When stress at work refused to stay
and followed you back home,
did you confess your inner angst
or face it all alone?

When anger raised its ugly head
resulting in a fight,
did you resolve to talk it through
before you said “good night?”

Did you find unexpected ways
to celebrate your spouse?
Like secret notes or weekend trips
or tidying the house?

When income and expenses clashed,
how did you two behave?
Did you ignore the bottom line
or did you start to save?

Did you rehearse the day each night
before you fell asleep?
And did you both together pray
the Lord your souls to keep?

Well, there it is. A lovers’ quiz.
A test of what you vowed.
Are you dismayed by how you scored?
I’m hoping that you’re proud.

* this lovers’ quiz is dedicated to my daughter Allison and her husband Tim who were married a year ago this week.

When the Parent Becomes the Child

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Remembering a mother’s love as she increasingly forgets

When I was but a boy of three,
my mother took good care of me.
She cooked my food and washed my clothes
and dressed me for the day.

She helped me tie my laces tight
and tucked me in my bed at night.
She put my needs ahead of hers
and never once complained.

When I fell down or lost my way,
my mom was never far away.
She recognized my helpless state
and made me feel secure.

But now my mom’s “the child” in need
who struggles daily to succeed
at little tasks that tax a mind
that frequently forgets.

She needs my help to get around
or look for things until they?re found.
And when her eyes betray her fear,
I hold her trembling hand.

At times her needs can drain me dry,
but when I start complaining why?
I think back to my childhood
and how she cared for me.

* I dedicate this poem to all who identify with the season of life in which I find myself. May God give us all the grace to face the challenges of what is to come. I especially want to honor my brother Marc. My only sibling lives in the same community as our mother and as such deals with the issues surrounding our mother’s dementia much more than I do. I am grateful for his tireless effort and often unappreciated care.