First Time Human Being

Please, be patient with me.

Welcome!

My name is Tanner and here I post stories, reflections, poems, and prayers.

Before you move onto the next thing hit the subscribe button! Thanks for being here.

Already a subscriber? Today is a great day to become a paid subscriber!

First Time Human Being

I am a first time human being, so please, be patient with me.

I’ve never done this before.

Living.

There is much I do not know, but along the way I have come to see and believe today is a gift and tomorrow remains a mystery and yesterday is a lesson lived and learned.

I have learned that life is hard and heavy, uncertain and unexpected, but Key Lime Pie ice cream exists and it is delicious.

I have learned Michigan in the summer is close to heaven and rest is required if you want to move forward.

I know a nap and a snack can change your entire day and maybe your life.

I have learned we can live more with less and that it’s okay to not accept everything the world hands us.

Our hands are only so big and can only carry so much.

I have learned shame is a dead end road, but hope knows the way back home.

Failure is not to be feared, it is part of living, and so is mercy and joy and wonder.

And I wonder why I think I need to have it all figured out when I am a first time human being.

We are all beloved and blessed and I know God is not afraid of our mess and this life is too beautiful to be weighed down with unending stress.

I’ve learned life is better together than alone. 

I know I need grace and forgiveness and a moment or two to slow down and breathe deep.

I’ve come to believe we should get off the couch, go to concerts and look at the stars and swim in the ocean.

Like me, you are a first time human being trying to understand what it means to be here and be human.

And here not everything adds up and life can be too much.

As a first time human being I easily forget what I know to be true, so let me remind you of what is true:

You’ve made God smile and dogs wag their tails.

You’re not a burden or mistake.

You’re someone’s favorite.

You’re never too busy to be kind and with a little time most of life’s problems will be fine.

You’ve made it this far and we still have a ways to go.

There are mountains to move and books to read, people to meet and places to eat, peace to bring and songs to sing.

I know everyone is going through something and love is always the right response.

I know we should never pass up a sunrise or a basket of sweet potato fries.

I know we should give thanks and say grace and give grace and say thanks.

I know a smile can go a long way, God hears us when we pray, and today is a good day to have a good day.

I am a first time human being and years ago I should have invested in Bitcoin and Apple and my body.

I should have known better, but it’s hard to know better when you don’t know any better, but I am trying to be better and know better and hopefully that makes this only life of mine a little better.

I have learned softness is a strength, thankfulness can change a heart, and the small things are the big things.

I know it’s a wild time to be alive, but what a miracle it is to be here and be alive.

I am a first time human being
and I do not know much
but hope,
but forgive,
but believe,
but love.

Website | Books | On Instagram | On Facebook

---

For more poetry and stories follow me on Instagram and Facebook.