Christian Writing Contest 2010

The 2010 ACM T. S. Eliot Award

Goes to Nancy Hance

Monroe, NC

1st Place

(Category: Poetry)

Bio:

From a very early age, Nancy had a connection with music. Standing on tiptoe to reach Grandma’s old piano keyboard, she picked out the melody to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”, her favorite tune. As a young girl, Nancy learned that Jesus loved her and would always be with her. Baptized at the age of eleven, she always felt the Presence of the Lord in her life. She was blessed with piano lessons from the age of six and eventually won a two year piano scholarship at a Christian college. At age 15, Nancy’s musical horizons were broadened when her older sister taught her to play the flute.

It was while attending college that she learned that the Holy Spirit was still very involved in the lives of Christians and that He wanted to indwell each and every believer. From then on, music took on a new dimension…one of deep worship and high praise. Songs started being birthed and written down and sung at every opportunity. Almost forty years later, the catalogue of Spirit-birthed songs has continually grown and documents the life journey of this musician.

Nancy also works as a freelance writer contributing articles to women’s magazines and has written a book, “Flights Of Fancy” soon to be published. Dabbling in poetry seemed to be a natural progression and has been a hobby and enjoyment.

You may contact Nancy at nancyhance@gmail.com or through the contest administrators by sending an email to director@athanatosministries.org.

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The King’s Garden

(The Garden Enclosed)

Song of Solomon 4:12-16

A garden enclosed is My sister, My bride,

A fountain sealed up-all her water inside.

But I see her seedlings as plants fully grown-

An orchard of fruits and rare spices unknown.

Sometimes she sees rocky soil., sun parched and dry

And wonders at My love and often asks, “Why?”

But I want to show her the things I behold:

The beauty I’ve planted; the spring clear and cold.

The myrrh is her tears as in sorrow she cries.

She longs to be perfectly clean in My eyes.

The spikenard will cure her, the balsam will heal.

The comfort of aloes will soothe how she feels.

Her prayers are the frankincense burning so bright.

I show her the path as she walks through the night.

The henna’s a thankful heart worshipping Me.

The beauty of gratefulness in her I see.

Her hopes and her dreams are the calamus reed.

They fill up the air with the fragrance of need.

I’ll cut them and dry them and powder them soon

And use them to create a rare, rich perfume.

Her flavors are saffron and cinnamon sweet.

In her heart My peace and My righteousness meet.

I kiss her with mercy-embrace her with truth.

I give her My covering as Boaz did Ruth.

Come into Your garden, my Husband, my King.

Take pleasure in eating and drink from my spring.

My heart is Your garden, Your private retreat.

Come enter it now, let me sit at Your feet.

Awake now, O north wind and come now, O south.

Come blow on My garden so her fragrance flows out.

Spring up, sweet Spirit, pure water of life!

Refresh My princess, My sister, My wife.

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Tags: King's Garden, myrrh, Nancy Hance, Ruth, Solomon
Filed under: 2010 Winners