Thursday, October 31, 2013

Keeping My Balance


Trying to find some balance here,
Feeling like I can’t win,
Until I heard You speak to me,
Calming me down again.
 
I hear Your voice in that of friends,
My loving family,
Reminding me I’m not alone,
That You are here with me.
 
There is so much still to be done,
That ball’s still in the air,
But I know I can balance it
Because I know You’re there.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

God's Questions For Me


God just stopped by to query me;
Child, what have you done today?
Did you offer a kinder word
Than what you wanted to say?
Did you lift up a weary heart
By sharing with it a smile?
Or make another’s burden light
By chatting with them a while?
Did you reach out and pray for help
For one lost along the way?
And did you think to offer thanks
For the grace you live each day?
                              
All of the questions that He asked
Are weighing on me tonight.
Tomorrow they will be my guide,
That I may bring Him delight.
 
Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Day Ahead


I watched the mountain, rimmed with fire,
Touched by the morning sun
And I knew that, ready or not,
A new day had begun.
 
So I rose up and praised the Lord
That, though my rest was slight,
I stood beneath the golden sky
And did not die last night.
 
I praised Him that my eyes could see
The gold clouds sweep the sky
And that my ears could clearly hear
The seagull’s plaintive cry.
            
I praised Him that the day ahead,
Though faced on little sleep,
Was one more chance He’d given me,
To find joy I can keep!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Counting Blessings and Petals


Counting my blessings in each day,
Thankful for all I’ve got.
Each petal plucked says He Loves Me.
There is no loves me not.
 
However hard a day may be,
With troubles overwrought,
I count the petals, He Loves Me,
And find no loves me not.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

The Autumn Rose


The garden’s full of dying blooms,
And yet her cherry smile
Lights up its withered countenance
With her sweet, classy style.
 
Not bowing to the bitterness
That touches other hearts,
Instead she offers loving joy,
With all that it imparts.
 
She chooses to see life as sweet,
Despite what greets her eyes,
Delighting in each new dawn as
A breathtaking surprise.
 
For it is not the autumn’s chill
She feels at each day’s start,
But the warm breath of her God’s love
That blooms within her heart.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

The Leaf In The Web


While I was walking in the trees
I saw a falling leaf
Entangled in a spider web,
An out of place motif.
 
For it belonged upon the tree
Or nestled on the ground
With all of its bright family
Scattered all around.
 
It’s caught in limbo, trapped in time,
Spinning helplessly
And somehow when I saw it there
I knew that I saw me.
 
For I am not who I once was,
Nor yet who I will be,
Instead I’m drifting, spinning, lost,
Longing to be set free.
 
But I have faith that in due time
That spinning leaf and I
Will break free of what holds us now
And, on God's breath, we'll fly.

 

Friday, October 25, 2013

The Colors of Joy


What joyful colors, born in fall,
Before the world’s long sleep.
As if to offer sweeter dreams,
A drowsing world to keep.
 
Thus was it in the Lord’s design,
That even winter’s chill
Might not be cold enough to freeze
The autumn’s vibrant thrill.
 
So in the darker days to come
Remember with delight
The joyful moments of today,
The color and the light.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Learning To Be Wise


Each day I understand anew
How truly great you are;
Each moment is a miracle,
There’s joy in every scar.
 
Each pain will pass, each new day dawns
With promise in its hand.
Although I may not see it yet,
It’s all going as planned.
 
Each day I understand you more;
Your love, your boundless grace,
The firm hand that moves me along
When stuck too long in place.
 
The road I travel has its hills,
It has its valleys, too,
But up or down, easy or tough
I’ve learned you’ll see me through.
 
I have a long way yet to go,
And much still to endure.
I’m not sure what each day will bring,
But, of your love, I’m sure.
 
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Numb and Overwhelmed


Tonight my mind is simply numb,
I’ve lingered through the day
In memories of times now past
That I can’t drive away.
 
The mists that greeted me at dawn
Still hovered on the bay
As I watched a cold, feeble sun
Say good night to the day.
 
Though all my chores are half way done,
I just don’t seem to care,
For I know if they’re not done now,
Tomorrow they’ll be there.
 
I know that this feeling will pass,
But in the meantime, please,
Refresh my soul, renew my strength
And help me from my knees.
 
Psalm 23:3
He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Sins Like Mist


Though they’re many, those sins of mine,
He scattered them like mist
That melts away with morning’s sun
Until they don’t exist.
 
And, like the inlet cleared of mist,
My soul floods with His light.
For He has swept my sins away
And made my grey world bright.
 
Isaiah 44:22
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.

Monday, October 21, 2013

As Close As Family


Some are larger, fully formed,
With fingers plain to see,
While others aren't yet fully grown,
But still wave joyfully.
 
Some are still young, in rich green shades,
While some are aged, clearly,
But each reflects its maker’s love,
Perfect as it should be.
 
And when, with time, each leaf will fall,
Drifting to earth, softly,
They all will lie, together still,
Beneath the family tree.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Restore My Joy




















My future lies beyond the dawn,
So I must rise and go.
Though, where my steps will take me next,
I still don’t rightly know.
 
I know the path will not be smooth
Beneath my weary feet,
But I know that walking with Him
Will make the journey sweet.
 
For He will lift my spirits up,
He’ll dry each tear I cry,
Until I’m strong enough, again,
To hold my own head high.
 
So I will rise up in the dawn
And wiped my tear stained face,
Then I will step out willingly,
With God setting my pace.
 
Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Easier Said Than Done


They speak of a burden lifted,
But that isn’t how it went.
For you were a precious blessing,
Undoubtedly heaven sent.
 
You smiled at me every morning,
And, though my name slipped your mind,
You made sure I knew you loved me
By any means you could find.
 
And, when I tucked you in at night,
You’d always say I love you,
Until God took your words away
And a squeeze would have to do.
 
Then came the day you didn’t wake,
You left while I was asleep.
I guess God must have called your name,
But I didn’t hear a peep.
 
And now I face an empty world,
A little broken-hearted.
They say my burden’s lifted now,
To me, your smile’s departed.

So now the good-byes have been said,
Your things are all packed away.
I have to start my life anew
Without your sweet smile each day.

Friday, October 18, 2013

I Promised


I promised I would wait for You
To lead me on the way,
But I was anxious to begin
And so I went astray.
 
I promised I would call Your name
And offer You my praise,
But I was soon distracted by
The chaos of my days.
 
I promised to listen to You
And live as You’d asked me,
But I got caught up in the plans
Of all I longed to be.
 
Then everything seemed to collapse,
I got lost in my pride,
And suddenly I realized
I wasn’t by Your side.
 
But just before my spirit failed,
Consumed by all my fear,
I felt Your arms reach out for me,
To hold me safe and near.
 
For, though I’d run ahead of You,
You never left my side,
And so I've learned to wait for You
To be my loving guide.
 
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Darkness Fails in Light


I dwelt, for days, within my fears,
Facing my pitch black sky,
Dreading all that my future held.
All I could do was cry.
 
Though I kept hearing, “Do not fear,
I have a plan for you.”
Yet still I worried where to go
I thought my life was through.
 
But, though I trembled in my fears,
I knew that He was right.
That’s when I learned that darkness fails
With the first touch of light.
 
For as I answered, “Yes, My Lord”,
The sun came bursting through,
And I knew, with a grateful heart
I still have much to do!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Face of Home
















We lifted off into the air
And rode the billowed sky;
A prayer of faith to stay aloft,
To help that big plane fly.
 
I know that I am safe up there
But still, each time I roam,
I’m always thankful to be back
Within sight of my home.
 
So thank you for the adventure
And thank you for the fun
And thank you for the safe trip home
When my journey was done.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

I Hide In You


When I am overwhelmed with grief,
I hide myself in You;
You shelter me from all the hurt
That life has put me through.
You shield me from the fears I face,
If only in my mind,
And give me comfort when the world
Seems too harsh and unkind.
 
I go to You when I am lost,
You always take me in
And give me shelter from the storm
Until I’m strong again,
I turn to You in times of Joy,
Of peace and contentment,
But, when I’m battered by life’s storms,
Your love keeps me content.
 
Psalm 143:9
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Against A Wall


 
I thought that I was on my way,
It all looked up from there,
And there was nothing in my way,
I could go anywhere.
 
But then it all came to a halt,
I ran into a wall
That I could neither scale nor skip,
My choice was pray or fall.
 
I lifted up my fearful voice
And prayed You’d help me through
Because, no matter what befalls,
I can depend on You.
 
I may not quite see the way out,
But I know there is one,
And I know You will lead me there
Before my journey’s done.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Feed My Soul


I cannot live without you, Lord,
The world is far too rough.
Without You all I’ll ever have
Will never be enough.
 
Though all the riches of the world
Lay piled beneath my feet,
Still I would starve with all my wealth,
Be lost and incomplete.
 
For only You can feed my soul
And see me through each day.
So I will cling to Your word, Lord.
And praise You all the way.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Change Happens Slowly


Change happens oh so slowly, Lord,
Though I do see some change.
I see myself, how far I’ve come,
Yet still it seems so strange
That I could live within Your grace
And not change more quickly.
Oh Lord, please keep me on the vine
Til I’m who I should be.

Friday, October 11, 2013

The Gecko in the Pool


 
I saw him floating in the pool
Well in over his head
I thought for sure he’d met his fate,
That he was clearly dead.
But my aunt said, “He’s still alive!
Help me to get him out.”
He fought against her, not knowing
Just what she was about.
                                                                       
But when she set him on the grass
And he’d fled, safe and free,
I saw a similarity
Between the guy and me.
 
For often I’m in way too deep,
I’m certain I will drown,
But God knows that I’m still alive
And won’t let me go down.
He lifts me up to set me free,
I fight him tooth and nail,
Until I’m safely in his hand
And His will can prevail.
 
He won’t let me destroy myself,
Such is His care for me,
And His sight reaches far beyond,
The limits I can see.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

I Hunger for You


I hunger for your word, My Lord,
I hunger for your Grace.
I long to walk beside, You Lord,
I long to see your face.
 
I seek You always in my need,
You nourish me with strength.
I wait to hear you call my name
And lead me home at length.
 
Oh Lord, Your love is bountiful
You feed my hungry soul
And fill my empty heart with love
Until I’m full and whole.
 
Psalm 22:26
The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Living Gratitude


Taking off into the new day,
Rising within the dawn,
Thankful for each day I face
And strength to carry on.
 
I thank you for each golden dawn,
I thank you for each night.
I thank you that you kept me safe
Between the dark and light.
 
I thank you for a growing faith,
A joyful attitude,
But most of all I’m thankful for
A life of gratitude.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

How God Sees Me


I’m not the fairest of them all,
With wings battered and torn,
But I was born of God’s sweet love
And by Christ’s blood, reborn.
 
I may look rough and tumbled some,
With an old, weary face,
But when God looks at me He sees
Me, through His loving Grace.
 
And I am beautiful to Him,
My spirit shines right through
The battered shell of broken dreams
That’s all I seem to you.
 
I don’t expect that you can see
The “me” God seems to see,
And it’s enough for me to know
That that’s how God sees me.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Rising Above My Fears


However great my cares may be,
I’ll rise above them all,
For I am borne on wings of faith
And answering your call.
 
I will not fear the roaring waves
That crash upon the sand.
I’ll rise above their turbulence
And rest within God’s hand.
 
For all the troubles of the day,
Though they may rage and roar,
Are nothing when compared Him,
And I’ll fear them no more!
 
Psalm 93:2-4
Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.
The seas have lifted up, Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Fatih to Fly


I want to fly away someday,
Where troubles cannot go.
I want to ride the winter winds
Ahead of the first snow.
 
Though I was not born with swift wings
With which to sweep the sky,
Yet still my heart leaps up in me
As if it hopes to fly.
 
It’s not the gravity of earth
That binds us to its soil,
But it’s the way we choose to face
The daily stress and toil.
 
So rise with me, into the light,
And let us trace the sky.
For there’s no reason we should weep
When we have yet to try!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Live In Joy


Joyful are the autumn colors
Vivid in their array
Yet each one, in all its glory, 
Will someday pass away.
 
For all of life is but a pause,
We haven’t long to stay,
Before we bid this world farewell,
Like sunset on the day.
 
So fill each day with all the joy
That you have left to give.
It’s not enough to be alive,
Unless you truly live.
 
Psalm 90:10
Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Doubts and Fears and Faith


I don’t know where I’m meant to go,
What I’m supposed to do.
The only thing I know for sure
Is that I’ll follow You.
 
I know you have a place for me,
Though I don’t yet know where.
But I am stepping out in faith,
I know You’ll lead me there.  
 
There is so much I can’t see ahead,
So much that I still fear.
Yet I will walk it, step by step,
Because I know You’re near.
 
Somewhere, beyond tomorrow’s dawn,
A new day waits for me,
I don’t know yet what that day brings,
But I will rise and see.
 
Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Blessings in My Mind


I’m too tired to think tonight,
My mind can’t shape a thought,
But still I see the blessings that
Your perfect love has wrought.
 
They gleam within my weary mind
Like blossoms in the spring,
And, tired or not, I thank you Lord
For all the joy they bring.

Psalm 21:6
Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

At the end of the Rainbow


The house at the end of the rainbow,
How awesome that would be,
Except that when you are in it
There’s no rainbow to see.
 
In life we often have rainbows,
That all but us can see.
It helps to step outside ourselves
To know what luck may be.

So when the rain seems heaviest,
The world, drab as can be,
Don’t sulk within the rainbow’s end,
Get out where you can see.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

An Envelope of Memories


I thought that, just today, I would do my praise a bit differently, in prose. You may not know this, but my father passed away 3 and a half years ago. My Mother died on the 8th of this month. That means that my siblings and I, with much help, are sorting through over 80 years of living and accumulating memories for both of my parents. The odd little things that they kept over the years have brought both surprise and delight and they have caused a tear or a laugh to touch the hearts and faces of those who are sorting through all those years.

In the course of the sorting, my aunt came across something odd and asked me if I might know what it was. It was a handmade envelope, made by a child, with a picture on the front and inside of it was a handful of old pictures of my father engaged in having fun with his family. I saw it and my heart skipped a beat. I remembered that envelope well, and I remembered the day that I made it. All those emotions came flooding into my 57 year old brain.

I was in third grade, heading into 4th grade, so 8 or 9 years old. My father had just received orders to Vietnam. I had drawn a line down the middle of the envelope and placed beautiful living flowers in bright sunshine on one side. They represented, in my young mind, my father returning alive from the war, as some of my friend’s dads had not. The other half depicted the same flowers, dead, in a black world with bombs exploding in the sky instead of the sunlight. It represented the horrible possibility of never seeing my father alive again. Inside it I placed pictures of my dad that I slipped out of photosets that I had found in various places in our house. I remember many times, during that year of deployment, pulling out those pictures, when I was alone, and just praying that God would bring my Daddy home safely. He Did.

Now, looking back over all the years that I was blessed to share with my father, I am even more grateful than I was then for his safe return. As a soldier’s daughter, I learned from him the value of life, the power of faith and the true meaning of family. For all those who shared the path my parents walked became a blessing, a friend, and, very often, family. To this day, they call to check on me, they step up to lend me hand with what I’m facing and they are never far from my side when troubles knock on my door.

Now, my parents have truly gone, earth is poorer and heaven is richer. And I have an envelope of memories that I made as a child and that my mother, whether understanding its purpose or not, found and saved with all of her other treasures. Please, take some time to make an envelope of memories for each of your loved ones and hold it tight in your heart. That way, when years have passed, or only days, and God calls them home, you can open up that envelope and smile at all the loving memories.