Chronicle at strive4impact.com

November 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

It's amazing how much reactions and words can mean. It's like everything I ever do will affect me in the future. Whether I choose to get dressed before or after I eat breakfast. Or something like choosing drugs or not. Obviously that's a bigger decision, but all of it, all of it, affects mine and others' futures.

ANOINTED
November 1993

Life is strange, When you walk down the street,
seeing the faces, of people you meet.
You seem to see, then look and find,
that not everyone is always kind.

Some people are pushed, and thrown on the ground,
and then you hear the disheartening sound,
of crying and whining, a constant plea,
"Will you help you,
or will you help me?"

(regarding Chuck 'E' Cheese Shootings, where a young man went in and shot people at a Chuck'E'Cheese Restaurant. This was an event that had a profound effect on me.)
December 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

it's hit just too close to home this time. It has to change.

Are you going to wait for it to hit so close to home that you can't do anything about it? The time is now. Stop it so that it can't hurt you before it's too late. There are too many "accidents." We have to speak out. Not if you buy themselves, but one. One body of people United for all causes, but especially against violence of any type. It's intolerable. We have to unite as one.

December 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

There is a Santa Claus.
His name is God.

St. Nicholas
follower of Jesus

Some push physically, others push verbally.

Neither is okay.

Ruminations from January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Can't just stand by and let it happen.

Don't say it's going to get worse. Do something about it to make it better.

Sometimes it's easier to see in the dark.

It sometimes seems like our lives are a constant battle for power.

Those who do right and listen inside will emerge as the victors.

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Dear God,

What is going on? There's something inside of me and I feel like I just keep packing it down. What do I have to do to let it out?

In the past, columns have satisfied this thing for a while. I can tell that it will be wonderful once it's out. But how I started is the question.

I envision this little bubble of light inside of me that grows whenever I do something for you. Several times, it almost came out, but it was especially at these times, when outside sources tempted me. Once I agree and give in to that temptation, it's like a giant fist comes crunching down my throat and returns that light to its normal size. The time for it to come out is now? But I've got to make it grow enough? And be able to resist temptation when it happens.

So, God, your turn, again. Help me to make this light grow. It is going to take three to four months, and I know that. Help me to do things that you would want me to do.

Holy Spirit, help me to recognize what the temptation(s) are, and when they are coming.

Jesus, help me to work through the Temptations. Show me the way to the Bible when I start to get into these temptations, and give me messages through the Bible that will help me to not give in.

Mary, help me to do my best to understand other people and what they do. Sometimes it gets very confusing, and I feel you have the love and understanding to translate why people do the things that they do.

Help me through the next few months.
Show me how to let the slight emerge from me.
Help me to stay away from temptation, and to recognize it when it's trying to get at me.

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

HOW ARE AIR STRIKES GOING TO STOP KILLING?

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

I have met Sister Thea Bowman
I've been close enough to Mother Teresa to shake her hand
I've been within 25 or 30 feet of the Pope for an extended period of time
none of it even compares with being close to God.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

All physical life is born from a connection and the life inside is also born from a connection. Life is a connection with God.

July 1994
Jonathan is 14

A plant doesn't grow and will eventually die if it has no water.

Likewise, if a plant doesn't have enough water, then it can not share any to produce fruit.

July 1994
Jonathan is 14

The girl who could talk with her eyes

Sometimes it takes more strength to give up in a fight.

If you do what you like,
You'll like what you do.

March 23, 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Daddy Bruce Randolph
With a heart of gold, he did what God told.

- - - - - - - - -
If people would quit complaining about being in the minority, we would all be in the majority of human people fighting to become something much greater.
- - - - - - - - -
Overcome
To Martin Luther King
-Let us keep the dream alive-

We shall overcome
without violence, without hate.
We shall overcome,
and not use others as the bait.
Where'd the spirit go?
a different cause, yes,
but we've laid down on the job,
and forgotten about the rest.
The violence which surrounds us now,
hurts us even more.
In the end, it will kill us all,
and hurt us more than the worst war.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

What you feel in your heart,
is more important than your head.
What you write is more important,
than what you've read.
When you feel the beat,
of the heart inside your soul,
you can achieve any important dreams or goals.
The feeling you get,
when you know your true self,
is the feeling of a heart,
unaffected by wealth.
One that has peace,
or a better people in mind,
is one who is great,
because of a heart that is kind.

What you feel in your heart,
is more important than your head.
What you say is more important,
than what you've said.
You must strive for this goal,
each and every day;
to say what you believe,
instead of believing what you say.

What you feel in your heart,
is more important that your head.
What you do when you're alive,
will determine how you're dead.
You have a choice now,
to live in wealth and fame,
and even when you mess up,
to never take the blame.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Tradition and life
brought around without strife
like husband and wife
is tradition and life

April 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

In all aspects of life, there is a need for peace. It starts in the home and branches out to the community. We're not necessarily just talking about physical violence, but were also talking about things that cause physical violence. Things like putdowns, things like discrimination.

To any who may someday read this. My name is Jonathan Kraft. These poems are a small reflection of something much greater inside of me. I have many thoughts, feelings, and expressions to share with the world. God has given me a voice that many have. A voice louder than words. I will do my best to show others that they have this voice also, and when they find out what that voice is, the world will be a much better place. A place that will be filled with all who care about others and know that they have the potential to make the world a better place. Enjoy these poems. I hope that they help you to find out who your voice truly is.

-Jonathan Kraft
May 2, 1994

May 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Does the slow song have to end?

People forget about the inner light because of worldly limits.

If God is for you, and he is, and if you dwell in him, then God will be for you and who can be against you when God is for you?

July 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Potential (Tools to Aid the Soul)

I look at people,
and see in them so much potential.
Potential to do whatever they want
Potential to make good things happen for all
They have this potential,
and I see it when
I look at people

July 1994
Jonathan is 14

Quiet Knowledge
Innocence
Feelings
Impact
Wonderings

Peace War Hate Love

July 14 1994
(After listening to Dances With Wolves Soundtrack)
Jonathan is 14

It will all end how it all started, and we will find out that we really do know nothing.

August 7, 1994
Jonathan is 14

The girl who could talk with her eyes
Tonight I met her
I tried to talk
but what could or would I have said?
Tonight I met her,
and in her eyes, I saw a brilliance of the soul
A brilliance ready to shine
A brilliance that is ready to help
Is this,
This girl who can talk with her eyes,
Is this what I've been waiting for?
Perhaps.

August 1994
Jonathan is 14

You've given in to the self

The chain of impact

Perceptions of reality

August 1994
Visiting St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
Jonathan is 14

We stand before the mountains of the world, and wonder how we are supposed to climb them. But it is in climbing those mountains that we reach the top of the mountains of God.
We stand before the mountain of God, and wedo not know what it is we will do. We only know that it will be great.

September 1994

I used to sit up late at nights and write to someone who had given me more than I could ask for, ever. I didn't know much about details... little things and big things alike, I didn't know about, but it was okay, and it was fun for me to stay up late those nights writing. They helped me discover more of what I'd been given.

Then I began to slip away. I was a Sunday Catholic who really didn't have a statement for life. That time was hard. And the bad thing and strange thing about it was I could have made it so much easier just by finding out who I'd been writing to.

September 1994

I once heard a saying that whatever you have in life is God's gift to you. Whatever you do with what you have is your gift to God.

October 1994
Jonathan is 15

In life, we're searching to find ourselves, but are we not also searching for love?

October 1994
Jonathan is 15

Everybody wishes for what they don't got
The blind wish they could see
The lame wish they could learn to walk
And I wish I could be me.

November 3, 1994
Jonathan is 15

All of our lives, we are taught to tune out things around us so that we can concentrate on what it is that we're trying to do.

Maybe it's time we stop tuning out things and start tuning in to the big picture.

It's time we realize that there's things more important than just ourselves.

November 1994
Jonathan is 15

It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

January 1995
Jonathan is 15

A person who does math well knows formulas and rules.
However, a mathematician finds the rules without ever needing to know formulas.

A musician knows notes as well as perhaps scales, intonation, and harmonics.
However, a musical master could compose great music without ever knowing how to read a note.

An athlete knows his limits and the limits of the game that he plays.
However, a legend pushes those limits farther than they will go.

March 28, 1995
(After watching a movie I enjoyed called Tall Tale)
Jonathan is 15

TALL TALE

Code of the West
- Protect the land
- Defend the defenseless
- Never spit in front of women or children

There's nothing to be ashamed of if you do your best.

April 1995
Jonathan is 15

To My Friend Melissa

When Looking At
A Seed, Only A
Small Amount Of The Potential Beauty
Is Seen. But On The
Inside Of That Seed
Is Something Very Beautiful.

April 1995
Jonathan is 15

Different people.
Different lives.
Same world.

April 1995
Jonathan is 15

Vindication:
"Is it really your right?"
Justification:
"I couldn't see, there was no light."
Jurisdiction
"I hold power over your fate."
The answer, PEACE:
"They find out too late."

April 1995
Jonathan is 15

The Hypocrisy Of It All

-People hate the world we live in, but only complain and do nothing more

-People want peace but argue and fight with each other over small issues

-People want others to create their hope for the future for them

April 1995
Jonathan is 15

An eagle shot
A friend in trouble
And I can't find my love

Good hearted people
Volunteered time
In this world there is a Peace-Dove

May 26, 1995
11:40 PM
Jonathan is 15

When people walk into my room, they may notice many plants around. People often find this interesting and some find it strange. But I usually don't notice plants that way.

June 14, 1995
In Mexico on Love
Jonathan is 15

In my life, whenever I go somewhere that I don't know many people, I am always on the lookout for love; subconsciously afraid that if I am not watching and looking, I may miss or mess up the chance... not by much, but I'll just barely miss it.