Poetry Corner

A Glimpse of What’s Coming…🌿

Welcome to Poetry Corner, a quiet space where God’s whispers turn into rhythm, reflection, and encouragement.

Here, you’ll find short poetic pieces — small seeds of inspiration — written to uplift your heart, strengthen your spirit, and gently prepare you for the full poetry book that will be released in God’s perfect timing.

Each piece you read here is just a preview, a tender glimpse of the greater work that’s on the horizon.

Some poems will speak life over your day…

Some will strengthen your walk with Christ…

Some will comfort your spirit during difficult moments…

And all of them will carry the same heart you’ve always poured into your Encouraging Mondays messages.

Pause, breathe, and let these rhythms bless you.

Encouraging Mondays: Coaching the Heart and Mind,

now speaking to you through Poetry Rhythm.

🌿FEATURED POEM — “Holy Spirit–Led Speaking Life”

(November 14, 2025 — 11:00 AM)

By Shawna Stately

Poetry Snippet

Meditating on God’s Word shapes what we say—

Speaking life becomes our rhythm, our way.

What we speak, what we do, and how we pray

Reflect the Light we carry each day.

Honor the Lord with words gentle, true—

Even toward hearts that feel weary or blue.

Let our speech lift burdens, not heighten strife.

Let love lead our tongues…

and let Christ guide our life.

🌿“Peace in Your Atmosphere”

(November 15, 2025 —2:00 AM)

By Shawna Stately

Speak peace into every space you enter—

Peace in your thoughts, in your breath, at your center.

If chaos rises, refuse to agree;

God’s presence calms what you cannot see.

Stand firm in grace when the pressure is near—

Your voice can shift the atmosphere.

🌿“Grace for the Journey”

(November 16, 2025 — 9:00 PM)

By Shawna Stately

Your steps are ordered, even when unseen.

Your path is guided, guarded, and clean.

Walk in your purpose with steady pace—

God goes before you and covers you with grace.

You are becoming all He intended you to be—

Step by step, moving faithfully.

🌿“Strength for Today”

(November 17, 2025 —9:00 AM)

By Shawna Stately

When the day feels heavy, rest in His care.

Whisper His name—He is already there.

Strength is not rushed; it flows like a stream.

God fills you gently, restoring your beam.

Rise in His joy, refreshed and renewed—

Heaven is cheering you through.

🌿Speak Life

(Originally Written May 5, 2013—8:50 PM)

By Shawna Stately

Come on and believe with me,

in the power of the Holy Trinity!

The Holy Spirit will teach you,

everyday in life how to get a breakthrough!

Use your tongue not to speak death, but to speak life,

even when you’re going through a series of challenges & strife.

That’s how God’s Word tells us to fight!

Don’t you know you’re always in God’s sight?

So have faith — even as little as a mustard seed,

follow Christ & you WILL succeed!

Think positive & prosperous thoughts,

and be careful about what you say.

Great things will eventually happen for you

while you’re choosing to do things God’s way!

The enemy can’t have you or your mind.

He already knows his fate —

it’s only a matter of time.

Go ahead & thank God for things you may not yet see,

and watch them unfold

by God’s Holy Trinity!!!

🌿 AMEN

(November 18, 2025 — 12:35 AM)

By Shawna Stately

Amen… what does it truly mean

when we whisper it gently or speak it out loud?

It’s saying, though I can’t… my God can,

and lifting His name in honor, faithful and proud.

It’s trusting the Father for who He is,

our loving Lord who never fails.

It’s sealing our prayer with agreement and faith,

believing His Word always prevails.

Let’s say Amen every time we pray—

with hearts surrendered, steady, and true.

For in the blessings of God’s gentle arms,

is where He promises to carry you.

🌿WHEN WE GATHER

(November 18, 2025 — 12:50 AM)

By Shawna Stately

Let’s laugh and sing,

shout and pray—

each time I’m in town

and I come your way.

Let’s talk about the good times,

and some not-so-good too…

and thank our precious Father

for His mercies toward me and you.

Let’s gather together

as often as we can—

demonstrating to one another

that we truly are each other’s fan.

When we gather, it’s bittersweet…

because leaving again never feels right.

But being together is always a treat—

a blessing that warms the heart

long after the night.

🌿REFUSE TO ABUSE

(November 18, 2025 — 1:10 AM)

By Shawna Stately — Inspired by the Holy Spirit

Everyone was made in the image of God—

no one should be harmed nor struck with a rod.

Abuse comes in forms both cruel and unkind,

leaving wounds in the body, the heart, and the mind.

It creates trauma, confusion,

and storms no one can see—

but God’s heart breaks for the hurting,

and He calls His children to be free.

Abuse is abuse…

no matter the abuser’s claim.

Don’t mistreat someone

then shift the blame.

Just because you’re angry

doesn’t give you the right

to yell, to threaten,

or pick every fight.

Treat people right—

or leave them alone.

Striking someone with your hand

is as wrong as using a stone.

No one deserves

a slap in the face—

it dishonors our God

and the beauty of His grace.

Ask God to forgive you

for the cruelty you’ve shown,

using anger and harshness

as weapons you’ve grown.

Being an abuser

should never be your title—

don’t let aggression and pride

become your idol.

God calls you higher…

to healing, to repentance,

to peace, to life.

Refuse to abuse—

and walk away from strife.

“Thankfulness Turns Ordinary Moments into Holy Reminders of God’s Goodness.”🌿

(November 20, 2025)

By Shawna Stately

Let’s have an attitude of gratitude every day,

thanking our perfect God for brightening up our way.

Being thankful for God’s provisions and the way He cares,

Being thankful for our many blessings God allows us to share.

For God keeps showing His goodness in moments everywhere,

reminding us His love is faithful, steady, and always there.

Gratitude opens up our hearts to see God’s gentle hand,

guiding our steps with mercy as He leads us by His plan.

Cooking With Love on Thanksgiving Morning💛

(November 27, 2025)

By Shawna S.

In a sleepy morning kitchen, with a heart that still believed,

I chopped and stirred and seasoned while God’s strength helped me breathe.

Two hours’ rest behind me, yet joy kept me awake—

Because cooking for the ones you love is love you choose to make.

The celery, peppers, onions danced softly in the pan,

The cornbread cooled with purpose—part of God’s unwritten plan.

The yams browned bold and stubborn, marshmallows toasted deep,

I laughed and whispered, “Lord, I’m tired,” but He held me on my feet.

Green beans stretched with courage—French style nowhere in sight,

But grace stepped in like always, turning shortage into light.

And the dressing? Oh, that blessing—warm and seasoned through—

A little taste of family grace that only love can do.

I packed each dish so gently, wrapped with care and foil tight,

A DoorDash bag now preaching what it means to serve with might.

Thanksgiving on the go today, but still the Spirit moved—

Because love that’s cooked with sacrifice is love that’s heaven-approved.

At my son’s house we gathered, every plate and heart made full,

And I knew God fed us deeper than what lay upon each bowl.

For healing lives in kitchens where the tired still choose to give,

Where laughter meets the weary hands that simply love to live.

So here’s to meals made sacred, here’s to grace in every glove,

Here’s to weary, joyful moments—

This is cooking, this is healing,

this is ministry in love.

🍭FROM CANDY FACTORY TO HEALING KITCHEN🍌

(November 28, 2025)

By Shawna S

My home was once the Candy Factory,

a sweet-tooth heaven on every side—

bowls of treats on countertops,

little delights I kept supplied.

Kids would grin the moment they stepped in,

grandbabies knew just where to run,

and handing out those goodies felt

like laughter, comfort, love, and fun.

But somewhere deep inside my spirit

a holy stirring began to rise—

a whisper soft, yet steady, saying:

“Daughter, it’s time for you to prioritize.

Honor Me in how you nourish,

honor Me in how you live,

lead your family by example,

with the choices day by day you give.”

I felt the weight of legacy—

how habits shape the years ahead,

how health is not just body-deep

but a renewing of heart and mind instead.

So slowly I began the shifting,

learning to eat unto the Lord,

setting down the Candy Factory

and picking up His truth, restored.

Some days I slipped, some days I soared,

some days I craved what once was mine,

but God was patient in the process,

growing strength in me over time.

I learned that discipline is worship,

healthy choices can be praise,

and honoring this temple

is another way I lift His name.

So now I build a Healing Kitchen—

with fruits and greens and foods that heal,

with gratitude in every slice,

and prayer in every simple meal.

Not perfect… but surrendered.

Not pressured… but renewed.

A woman led by purpose

in the small things that I choose.

And as I walk this 21-day journey,

I share it with my family, too—

because transformation multiplies

when others see what God can do.

If a Candy Factory past can change,

then healing can reach anyone—

for the Lord restores our patterns,

and He completes what He’s begun.

So here I stand—heart open wide,

grateful for grace along the way,

turning sweets into stories of growth,

and habits into hope today.

From Candy Factory to Healing Kitchen,

this is the journey I gladly live—

a testimony shaped by love,

and a legacy I long to give.

✨ “MOMMA” — The Heart of Our Home💛

(November 28, 2025)

By Shawna S

She was friend to all and enemy to none,

A soft place to fall, a warm rising sun.

With hands that healed and a heart that gave,

She carried others in waves and waves.

An only child with no one there,

Yet somehow grew into love’s fullest prayer.

No mother to teach her, no father in sight —

Still she learned how to shine with a gentle light.

Life tried her early, but kindness stayed strong;

Her spirit was steady, her patience lifelong.

Storms came and went, yet her peace never shook —

Because love was her language, and service her look.

“Momma,” they called her — kids far and near,

Because her love erased walls, erased distance, erased fear.

She cooked for the block, she opened the door,

Fed the hungry, loved the lonely… then loved them even more.

Hot dogs on the porch, popcorn in the bowl,

TV outside just filling up souls.

But when Mr. Paulk’s footsteps came down the street,

We turned into lightning — hands, hearts, and feet!

By the time he reached home, the house looked brand new —

No sign of the crowd that my Momma withdrew.

Yet even in secret, her kindness was bold —

A treasure of warmth the world seldom told.

She lifted up children that weren’t even hers,

Bought gifts for birthdays, for babies, were furs.

She mothered the siblings of whoever we’d date —

Welcomed them in with a smile so great.

A foster mom, a warrior, a giver so true,

The kind of rare soul God hand-selected for you.

She stayed gentle in storms, stayed faithful in strain,

Her love was a shelter from struggle and pain.

And now in my kitchen, when laughter appears,

I feel the echo of her through the passing years.

Though she’s gone home, I still sense her near —

In every small joy and each volunteer tear.

Momma, your legacy lives in all that I do —

In how I love others, in how I push through.

I honor you daily, in word and in deed…

Your servant-hearted life planted every seed.

Friend to all. Enemy to none.

Your light lives on in the lives you’ve touched — one by one.

Your love lives forever — through me, through ours…

A beautiful garden of God’s tender flowers. 🌻🌷🌹💐

🌿STAY CONNECTED

Encouraging Mondays is more than a website — it’s a growing community of faith, reflection, and peaceful transformation. If God has been speaking to your heart through these messages, I’d love for you to stay connected throughout the week. Each platform gives you a unique way to receive encouragement, grow spiritually, and walk in God’s perfect peace.

LinkedIn — Weekly Encouragement & Reflections

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawna-stately-853771390

YouTube — Encouraging Mondays Video Messages

http://www.youtube.com/@EncouragingMondays

Podcast Devotionals With Shawna S. — Listen on the Go

https://open.spotify.com/show/3pT2RcBNOKpa8A2vuYIJ4W

Wherever you choose to connect, may these messages speak life to your spirit and peace to your heart! 💛