Working Like A Swallow

Work and worry go hand in hand,
And their impact can be
A burden weighing heavily
On simple folks like me.
 
Yet, if I choose to work with joy,
Each little task or chore
Can be a blessing beyond words
knowing what lies in store. 
 
It helps me to keep this in mind,
That all the work I do,
Is to be done with the same joy
I’d have working for You.

 

Whether the task is menial
Or of vast importance,
I want to work diligently,
Not leaving things to chance,
 
If I am to serve here on earth
With the same love You shared,
Then I must work harder than most.
For You left nothing spared.
 
If Your eye’s on the sparrow, Lord,
Then that’s what I will be.
Building and feathering life’s nest,
While singing joyfully.

 

I’m not looking for great reward
For the labor I do,
But that my work, done joyfully,
May bring delight to You.
 
I’ll never be able to do
The work You did down here,
But, when I work with joy and praise,
I always feel You near.
 
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
 
Psalm 128:2
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 

In Faith, Not Doubt

 

I stood upon the windy shore
And watched the waves rush in.
Unrelenting in their fierce quest,
To sweep the beach again.
 
It’s easy to stand there and know
That each day those great waves
Will sweep back down upon the shore,
But knowing never saves.
 
Now that which we can clearly see
Is His work on display,
But faith is trusting when He says
What’s unseen’s on its way.
 
That’s not an easy thing to do
When you stand in the storm,
But He’s calmed the waves more than once.
Let faith become your norm.
 
For that which we cannot yet see,
Is a promise away.
He’s standing by you on that shore,
He hears you when you pray.
 
The answer isn’t always as
We see it in our mind,
But if He says it’s on its way,
It will be there to find.
 
Lift up your praise and call to Him,
Asking within His will.
Then don’t be too surprised to see
The tempest growing still.
 
Psalm 107:29
He made the storm to be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
 
James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Heed The Warning Signs

Loud thunder starts to fill the sky,
And I will not complain,
For it is heralding the chance
Of some much needed rain.
 
There were some other hints of rain,
But I took little note.
They were so quiet I ignored
Those hints. They seemed so rote.
 
I realized, about the time
Those thunder clouds rolled in,
That we tend to give the same heed
To the warnings of sin.
 
They’re often quiet, those warnings,
And temptation is sweet.
If we don’t stay ever alert,
They’ll land right at our feet.
 
The voices and the choices of
Sin we will face on earth
Are so destructive to our souls,
While carrying no worth.
 
Don’t miss the small signs that appear,
Before it is too late.
There’s no use in barring the door
Once sin is through the gate.
 
So, while we need the rain that comes
Thundering though the skies,
Against the sin that slinks on in,
Keep guard with watchful eyes.
 
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
 
Proverbs 14:16
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. 

Plant It, Then Share It

I need to take time now and then
To teach myself The Word.
It’s well that I share it with all,
But not myself? Absurd.
 
We each should hold it in our hearts,
Ever prepared to give,
But also, to remind us of
The truths we need to live.
 
We cannot share what we don’t know,
However much we care.
While truth that’s rooted in our hearts
Is a truth we can share.
 
Take time to share His perfect truth,
But take time to, also,
Plant His Word deeply in your heart,
Where He will help it grow.
 
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the messenger of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
 
Psalm 119:30
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.

Above This Broken World

 

Oh Lord, this is a broken world,
But we will sing Your praise.
For there is nothing like our God,
Whose mercies still amaze.
 
Let all the hearts and tongues of earth
Declare His holy name,
And lift our voices up on high,
His glory to proclaim.
 
It falls not to the hearts of man
To seek honor on earth.
There is nothing that we can do
That’s equal to His worth. 

Instead let us raise our eyes up
Above this messy world
And sing to Him to who’s heavens glow
With His banners unfurled.  
 
For there is nothing like our God,
Whose mercies still amaze,
And we will sing with joyful souls
To Him our heartfelt praise!  
 
Psalm 113:5-6
Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
 
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Watching For Signs

 

I try to be a listener,
And have eyes that can see,
But sometimes I don’t understand
What You're asking of me.
 
I’ve picked up and followed Your call
A time or two, I know.
I bet I’ve missed more than I’ve heard.
That’s not how this should go.
 
I think I need more than just eyes.
Maybe a learning skill
Would help me recognize the signs
That clarify Your will.
 
I want to go where You call me,
Do what I’m called to do.
I need to learn to hear and see
The instructions from You.
 
Lord, help to understand what
You’re calling me to do.
I may not get them quickly, but
I’ll watch for signs from You.
 
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
 
Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

Beneath Your Wing

 

Tonight I rest beneath Your wing,
Someday before Your throne,
But in between I know that I
Will never be alone.
 
Within the stillness of the night
Your mercy does not sleep.
Through I may not see You nearby,
Your vigil You still keep.
 
You guard my going out, Oh Lord,
And, too, my coming in.
There is no place that I can go
That Your will has not been.
 
So, when I lay down and seek rest
My weary soul will sing,
For I am never out of sight,
Always beneath Your wing.
 
Psalm 36:7
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
 
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

A Simple Praise

 

Today’s is just a simple praise
To thank You for Your love.
I turn my heart, my eyes, my mind
To heaven up above.
 
I lift my praise up to You, Lord,
For waking me each day,
And for the strength to stand in faith
Despite what comes my way.
 
I know that I would not make it
If You cast me aside.
That’s why I’m grateful for the grace
In which I now abide.
 
I thank You that You called my name
To follow You. I’m Yours!
I’ll follow You and praise You in
The joy Your grace assures.
 
I thank You for the sacrifice
You didn’t need to make,
The suffering that You endured.
All of it for my sake.
 
I thank You that my eyes can see
How wonderous You are
And that my soul can feel the love
You carry in each scar.
 
A simple praise, but genuine,
For in it I proclaim
The gratitude I feel each time
I call upon Your name! 
 
Romans 5:2
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
 
Psalm 71:23
My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.

Inside My Own Bubble

 

I lift my pleas up to You, Lord,
With awe and reverence,
Until I start telling You how
I think You should commence.
 
I get caught in my own bubble,
My thoughts are all I hear.
I never stop to remember
You’ve made Your power clear.
 
You knew the path we each would walk
When You called down the light.
I might think that I know what’s best,
But You know what is right.
 
If I’d just stop sharing my plans
For a minute or two,
I’d hear Your voice reminding me
That You know what to do.
 
You’ve got me and all those I love
Tucked close in Your embrace.
You don’t need my instructions on
How to deliver grace.
 
Lord, thank You for hearing my pleas
And ignoring the rest.
My bubble may think my plan’s great,
But Yours are still the best.
 
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
 
Habakkuk 2:3
For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

I'm Focused In

 

Sometimes I question if I’m called.
Lord, please don’t get me wrong.
It’s not the call, but my own doubt,
My spirit’s not that strong.
 
I know You’ve called me, but I ask
Is this what I’m to do,
Or have I just misunderstood
What You’re calling me to?
 
I’d like to say that I will stand
Without question or doubt,
But You know all that’s on my mind,
And all that I’m about.
 
When I wonder if I heard wrong,
I stop and just listen,
For I know Your Spirit will speak,
Set me on track again.
 
I am aware some think I’m odd
To believe I hear You,
But when I just stop and listen
Your voice comes softly through.
 
You’ve never led me astray, Lord,
Though I’ve swerved now and then,
So when I hear You I focus,
Get up and start again.  
 
I know I cannot understand
All that You’ve seen and know,
So I don’t trust me over You.
I go where You say go.
 
Thank You for all Your patient grace.
Living beneath Your wing
Has made my choices easier,
For the wisdom You bring.
 
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
 
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.