Fearfully and Wonderfully

You may not see it at first glance,

I’m not the showy type,
And when I appear on the scene
There’s not a lot of hype.
 
But I have been fearfully made
By He who shaped the sun.
Yes, I was wonderfully made
Before life had begun.
 
I may not look like much to you,
But to Him I’m just fine.
For He has shaped me with His love,
And that love is still mine.
 
Fearfully and wonderfully,
That’s how my Lord made me,
And I will praise Him every day
Fiercely and joyfully!

Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Practicing Humble

I’m still working on humble, Lord,

And maybe patience, too.
But when things get out of control
I find I turn to You.
 
By seeking You, I find myself,
Humbled and touched by shame,
Once more on track to live life in
The shadow of Your name.
 
Yet it is that weakness, Oh Lord,
That helps me bear with love
The flaws in others, so like mine,
That You forgave me of.
 
So I will work on patience, now,
And humility, too,
That someday, with a little grace,
I’ll draw closer to You.
 
Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Work Joyfully

A little bee buzzing at work,

So busy in its day.
Working among the cheery blooms
It finds along the way.

How happy is that little bee,
To do its simple work.
It goes about it joyfully,
With no intent to shirk.

I think there’s something to be said
For simple joys like this,
To be content in who we are
To me, seems to be bliss.

And I know my life’s more complex
Than that of a small bee,
Yet, there’s something so relevant
That that small bee taught me.

No job is insignificant
It it’s done joyfully
And I am blessed to do the work
That You’ve laid out for me.

To The Water

I come again to the water

Where I first called Your name,
Where I was washed clean of the sin
Which I had born in shame.

I come again to the water
For I have sinned once more
And I seek healing from that sin
Upon this rocky shore.

I come again to the water,
Grateful, Lord, for Your grace.
Knowing that I’ve been forgiven,
That I will see Your face.

I come again to the water

For baptism on earth,
But it will be in Christ's spirit
That I’ll know true rebirth.

Mark 1:8
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John 4:24
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Still Worrying

The stairs lead somewhere out of sight

And someday I’ll go see,
But right now I feel safe right here,
And safe sounds good to me.

Of course there could be something else
That I should do out there,
But stepping outside of my box
Still gives me quite a scare.

They say that worry ends with faith,
But what I’d like to know
Is everything that lies ahead,
Before I start to go.

I know that’s not how it should work,
Yet that first step scares me.
I’d like to take in in good faith…
And someday that will be.

Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Songs of Praise

Sing to the Lord with all your heart,

In all things praise His name,
For His love is a gift to all,
Regardless of our shame.

Sing to the Lord, rejoice in Him,
For He is the hope of all.
Lift up your voices in His Praise,
That He might hear your call.  

Sing to the Lord, oh join me now,
For God is on His throne
And He will hold you close to Him,
Though you feel all alone!

Psalm 71:14
As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

Blessings To Come

Some look at life and see what they’ve lost

But that can’t be said of me.
I look at all that I’ve had and lost
And thank God for what will be.
 
There’s always new beauty born in spring
And summer’s harvest is sweet
I may not have everything I want,
But my life’s full and complete.
 
So I don’t look at last year’s lost blooms
And morn the seasons now past
Instead I rejoice for what’s to come
And the blessings that will last!
 
Psalm 21:6
Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

Solitary Time

There are those times when I need space

To be alone in peace.
With all the chaos of our lives
We each need some release,
But in my case I grow such thorns
If I have no respite
From all the chaos of my life,
Even for a small bit.
So now and then I slip away
And find a quiet place
To renew my less prickly side
And remember His Grace.
 
1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

His Wing, My Prayer

When I head out to hit the road,

I do it with a prayer.
I ask that God cover me close
While I spend time out there.
 
I know that I need Him at home,
But, when I start to roll,
I worry about all the things
That I cannot control.
 
So I ask that He cover me,
Keep me beneath His wing,
And help me make it safely home
Through all the day might bring.
 
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Tears and Joy

Tears and joy mingle this week

In my sweet memories.
So many whom I’ve loved are lost
Yet still live on with me!
 
Oh Lord, please hold them tight for me,
Since I no longer can,
Remind them that I love them still
And I’ll hug them again.

At my Back

I heard You whisper, “stop that now”,

As thought formed into word.
I realized what I’d have said
Was kinder left unheard.
 
You caught me as my temper rose
And settled me back down,
Reminding me that anger’s flood
Is a bitter place to drown.
 
You’re always right behind me, Lord,
Reminding me to wait,
To think before I go too far,
Before it is too late.

And I don’t always listen, Lord,

Though I know that I should,
But You’re still there, reminding me
That I’d rather do good.  

Watch Over Me

Oh Lord, today I’m not as well

As I would like to be.
I’m fighting off a mean old cold,
But I can’t quite shake free.
I’m sorry that today my praise
Is inane and paltry,
But I’m grateful that won’t stop You
From watching over me.
 
For Your love is not based upon
My skill at poetry
Or even on my follow through
With each daily ditty.
If I were not to write again
Your love would always be
The one thing I could still count on
To keep watch over me.
 
Psalm 121:3
He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;

Looking For The Path

I’m so far off the path, my Lord,

I can’t see it from here.
I’d love to get back on it, but
Just how isn’t quite clear.
 
The weeds of all the things I’ve done
Have grown, Lord, oh so high
That I don’t think I can get through,
And I’m afraid to try.
 
Oh Lord, please come and find me soon,
I’m lost as I can be.
I know You’ll help me find the path
That, right now, I can’t see.
 
Psalm 119:176
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Close By Me

Sometimes I wonder where You are

When I am running scared
Or when I have to face something
That’s greater than I’ve dared.
 
But each time that ask myself
Why You should even care
I turn around, only to find,
That You are always there.
 
You’ve never let me fly alone
Though I may sometimes doubt,
And when I’ve felt trapped in that doubt,
You’ve always lead me out.
 
So I will stay close by You, Lord,
And You stay close by me.
You are my strength and my refuge,
As You will always be.
 
Psalm 73:28
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Loving the Rain

It’s not a curse, it’s a blessing

That falls all winter long
It taps a winter melody
That bids me sing along
 
I know that some decry the rain
Complaining bitterly,
But I love hearing that old song
That it’s singing for me.
 
So hide beneath your umbrella
While I turn up my face
And thank the Lord for the new blooms
That will soon take rain’s place.
 
Acts 14:17
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

Arms Wide Open

One thing I’ve learned as I’ve grown old,

Though I keep much inside,
There isn’t much that I can’t do
With my arms open wide.
 
I cannot fly with my wings furled
Or even land on shore.
There’s no way I can hug a friend
Whom I love and adore.
 
I cannot reach out to the Lord
With arms clinched to my side.
So don’t mind me, I’m living life
With my arms open wide!

Looking for Him

He sits alone upon the bough

His gaze turned heavenward.  
For that is where he thinks he’ll see
The true face of the Lord.
 
He never turns his gaze aside
For fear he’ll miss the chance
To see God in His heaven there,
Even a passing glance.
 
And all the while he seeks for God
In heaven’s distant face,
He fails to see God is right there
In his familiar space.
 
For God created heaven’s sweep
And all the earth below.
All those who seek Him need but look
In places that they know.
 
He’s in the blossom on the stem,
The bird singing at dawn.
He soars, and roars and swims the seas,
He is the resting fawn.
 
One need not watch heaven alone
When searching for His face,
For you can see Him in yourself,
If only just a trace.
 
Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their tarry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

Tired, but Happy

I’m crazy busy these days, Lord,

With no time to slow down.
You’d think I’d be exhausted now,
And wear a constant frown.
 
But I am needed where I am,
And that brings me delight,
As all those little piles of chores
Are great gifts in my sight.
 
You’ve blessed me in the work I do
And those who work with me.
I may be worn out right now, Lord,
But I’m so glad to be!
 
Psalm 90:17
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

Fading Blooms

They blossom for a little while,

They wither and then die.
The vine dries up and blows away,
And time bids them good-bye.
 
There is no trace that they once lived.
The world will not recall
That they once twined within the grass,
Or that they bloomed at all.
 
But we are not like fading blooms,
That leave no trace behind.
For we can leave a lasting mark
That all who pass may find.
 
But it is up to us to choose
What our mark ought to be,
And it is those choices we make
The bind or set us free.
 
Yes, we can choose to be that bloom
That time withers away,
Or choose, instead, to leave a mark
To lights another’s way.
 
Psalm 103:14-16
The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

Seeds of Hope

They are so small, those seeds of hope

That grow to be great things
And it is from such tiny seeds
That mighty timber springs.
They do not question if it’s right
They raise their boughs and grow
And that’s the kind of faith in grace
That I must learn to know.
 
I know that my faith now is small,
I fight so hard to cope,
But I can see myself some day
Grown strong from seeds of Hope.
 
Matthew 13:32
Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

My Task

I caught of glimpse of what you saw

When you gave me this task.
I wondered why You needed me,
Though I did not dare ask.

And what a sight it was to see.
Oh Lord, my spirits soar,
And that small glimpse was all I need
To make me long for more!
 
So let’s get back to work, dear Lord.
There’s still so much to do,
And I’m excited for this task.
I want to see it through!
 
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Hiding My Face

I did it one again, my Lord,

I failed to be the me
That You’ve every right to expect
That, by now, I should be.
 
I hide my face in shame, oh Lord,
For I have let you down.
Once more I failed to live a life
Worthy of heaven’s crown.
 
I know that You forgave me, Lord,
For all that I will do,
And yet I am ashamed that I
Continue to fail You.
 
I know that You still see me, Lord,
Though I may hide in shame,
And I am grateful for the Grace
That offers love, not blame.

Treasures

My wealth is stored, not on the earth,

But out where I can see
The glory of my shining gold
Above the morning sea.
                      
My diamonds sparkle on velvet
For all the world’s delight
I see them when I look skyward
On every clear, bright night.
 
By the standards of this world
I’m not all that wealthy,
But I count my riches each day
In all of God’s glory.
 
Matthew 6: 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Speaking Poorly of Me

How deeply did I hurt Him when

I spoke poorly of me,
For, though it’s all the flaws I see,
I’m how I’m meant to be.
 
You see, I am designed by God
And, though I think I’m plain,
The Lord sees me as beautiful,
So no doubt should remain.
 
Thus when I speak, belittling
The person that God made,
Does it hurt Him to hear the words
Intended to degrade?
 
I don’t mean that I ought to brag,
That’s not what He had planned,
But at the least I should be kind
To one formed by God’s hand.

The Darkness

There’s silence in the world tonight

As once more darkness falls,
The words that my heart dare not speak
Echo in empty halls.
 
The darkness has already lost,
That battle has been won,
But still I must hold on until
The darkness knows it’s done.
 
So I will stand within the dark,
But live as if in Light.
I will not let the fear prevail,
Or quit without a fight.

Frail Wings

They seem to be such fragile things,

Too frail to ever fly,
Yet with small effort those frail wings
Will lift him to the sky.
 
Take heart then, when your faith is weak
And you wish you had more,
For even frail faith with God’s Grace
Will give you wings to soar.  

Turn Away

When others turn and walk away

I’ll keep my eyes on You,
Though some have said that things have changed,
The truth still remains true.
 
Although they bid me come along,
I will not turn away.
I’ll keep my eyes on You alone,
And near You, Lord, I’ll stay.
 
So, though the world may call to me
And I might long to go,
I will not turn away from You,
For that path leads to woe.
 
2 Timothy 4:3-4 
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Rise Up

Rise up and rejoice, the time is now

Whatever the day may bring.
Whether there’s sunshine or there’s rain,
Now is the time to sing!
 
Rise up and rejoice, the time is now
No time is better to soar,
For each day has been touched by God.
Rejoice for what’s in store!
 
Rise up and rejoice, the time is now
Make bright even darkest days
For God will lead you in His light
Rise up and live in praise!
 
Isaiah 60:1
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

Grace and Love

Of our two hearts, hers is the best,

And I know that it’s true,

But I’m the one who is most blessed

For her heart pulls mine through.

 

When I am troubled, she is there,

She loves with all her heart,

And works to lift me from despair

When lonely tear drops start. 

 

It was through Grace she came to me,

And, knowing how things were,

She saved me from who I would be

If I’d not rescued her!

 

To my good girl as she fights Cancer. I love you!!

Whispers and Prayers

It’s just a whisper in my heart,

But still, I know You hear.
You’re watching over me tonight
And those that I hold dear.
There are those days when all the things
That I would like to say
Get caught between my weary mind
And my attempts to pray.
But somehow, even at such times,
You listen to my heart
And You can hear the prayers that I
Cannot begin to start.

Washed New

All is washed clean in the rain

It sparkles fresh and new
And as I step into His plan
I feel that newness, too.
It isn’t easy, that I know,
For life is fraught with pain,
But, from that pain we are reborn.
Through Him, we’re new again.
 
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!