It is what it is. I read it on a cubicle wall. It’s a country-craft sign with large, cursive script, a script to make one curse. Words to echo the curse. The sign is made to look like it was made on a farm, but it was made in China. And not on a farm in China. The smooth, shimmering surface lies about its age. It’s made to appear older with new-painted fading, meticulously manufactured cracks, and fabricated years. An inverted aging starlet. It is intentionally distressed and so am I. But, I suppose, it is what it is. This sign that transports me to a funeral, a child’s sickbed, an accident scene. It is what it is.
It is what it is. It is a statement of resignation. After all kinds of trouble, worry, and fear, there it sits. We can live with such a statement, but not forever.
It is what it is. Is it?
It is what it is, but it is not what it shall be.
Children will not someday die, someday. Cancer will not reduce and end us like a berserker army invading every border, swallowing our hallowed map. It is what it is, but it is not what it shall be.
There’s good all over and grace in every breath. It is today and we are alive and so we ought to happily receive these gifts all over. Gratitude should be our theme song.
Thank God it’s Friday, but Someday’s coming.
We wrestle with the Not Yetness of things. With the good, broken, incompleteness of everything. We can receive a cold valley with thanks and still long for the sun.
It is what it is. But all the same, we long for it to be different. We long for it to not be all the same. Or, we long for it to be the same, but different. Like our best friends, we want them fully themselves. We want the fully realized valley. Sun and all. We want the valley on the edge of forever to slide on over.
It is what it is, but it is not what it shall be. Some day, when Someday comes, we will slide on over into the re-Edened earth. Sunrise.
This bought by Brother’s blood,
And so our family seal,
Runs red across a guarantee,
Of Father’s glad goodwill.
From me, my sons, sin you get,
An inherited curse.
From a Greater Father, you may claim,
All of the reverse.
All of the reverse. In that day, It is what it is will be fully and finally undone, by:
I Am Who I Am.
- The Archer’s Cup is Here - September 30, 2020
- It Is What It Is, But It Is Not What It Shall Be - March 30, 2020
- A Time To Embrace…Artists: Pandemic Patrons, Assemble - March 18, 2020
This may be my favorite Sam Smith piece ever. Goosebumps.
Thanks, Alyssa. That means a lot.
Ditto. I loved this the first time I read it (on Rabbit Room, I think) and I love it still. Beautifully said.
I’m glad. Thank you.
Aching goodness I needed first thing this morning. “All of the reverse.” Yes, please.
Me too!
Hoping in the Lord in this time (adjectives fail me). I was seeking good literature for my kids and me, and discovered you because Amazon saw a pattern and suggested I might be interested in your latest book. I’m kind of amazed by your website and the taste I’m getting of your work and your mission. Delighted! Looking forward to reading your work and being inspired, encouraged, challenged and delighted.
“The re-Edened Earth.” Yes. Leaning in to that.
Thank you.
God bless you.
I’m with Alyssa. One of my favorite posts from you, Sam. Thanks.
Thank you, friend. Your encouragement is big in my life.
Ah Sam! Longing for the reversal. Great, life-giving article!
Thanks, Brenda. I can’t wait.
“All of the reverse.” Amen! So good. So encouraging. Thanks Sam!
Good words, Sam. Good words.
Amen and amen.
Beautiful reminder of the Hope we have in Jesus Christ and His finished work. Thank you for sharing.
Yes! Amen!!!
So beautiful. It gives me pause. Thank you!!
My soul needed this today. A gentle nudge away from the edge. A reminder of a truthgreater than my circumstances. Thank you.
Yes! A beautiful, much-needed, reminder. It’s easy to forget that although God allows evil and suffering, he never directly wills it. Thank you for this article, sir.
What is the title of the poem, and did you write it? It is wonderful!
It’s part of a poem I wrote for my sons. Thank you.