Just Needed A Break

 

I stepped away to seek the peace
That I needed to find.
When this world starts moving too fast
That peace gets left behind.
 
It’s not something purposely done,
It just works out that way,
But that leaves me needing to find
Some time to get away.
 
So many things have changed for me
Over the past few years
There’s been some days of boundless joy,
And a few days of tears.
 
A different place, the same joy,
Just in a brand new way.
Still, I find myself looking for
A chance to step away.
 
It’s not the change that weighs on me,
But finding, now and then,
I can’t keep up with all the things
I used to do back when.
 
The peace I find within His grace
Helps me rest and restore,
Then I can get back up again
And carry on, once more!
 
1 Peter 5:7 
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
 
Psalm 119:76 
Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.

Unchanging Love

 

Days move swiftly, years rush by,
The end draws closer now.
Yet, You remain unchanged through all
Of life’s changes, somehow.
 
I went to bed, worries piled high.
It was hours before
Sleep, at last, calmed my thoughts enough
To rest and to restore.
 
I woke up wondering what next,
Forgetting Who prevails.
The day brought a swift reminder
That Your grace never fails.
 
All that worried me through the night,
Lay answered in the dawn.
Even questions I’d not yet asked,
Were settled and are gone.
 
You didn’t scold my lack of faith,
You healed it with Your grace
And reminded me that You have
The pieces well in place.
 
The world still turns and time moves on,
Nothing remains the same
Except for Your unfailing love.
That’s always ours to claim.
 
Colossians 1:17 
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
 
Psalm 143:8 
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Caught Rejoicing

 

In joy, it leapt from the tree branch
And floated through the air,
Intending to rest with its friends.
It never made it there.
 
An unforeseen event occurred,
A silken spider’s strand
Caught it as it was sailing by.
Not quite what it had planned.
 
Now it is hanging in mid air.
Not what it had in mind,
But, somehow, it still seems joyful,
In no rush to unbind.
 
You see, it’s still dancing up there,
In bright colored delight.
It doesn’t seem to mind having
A little longer flight.
 
For there are blessings in all things,
Though sometimes hard to see,
But, when we take time to rejoice
They’re clear as they can be.
 
The Lord has plans that we can’t know
Before we take that leap,
But we can trust, through all that comes,
The promise He will keep.
 
For He has promised us His love,
And, when we’re weak, His strength,
And that He will stay close by us.
Bringing us though, at length.
 
I hope the next snag in my plans
Will cause me to rejoice.
Like that bright leaf, joy in all things
Is a gift and a choice.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
 
Isaiah 40:29 
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Walk In Faith, Hold To Grace

Walking in faith, holding to grace,
That’s the way through this life.
Sadly, I can be a wayward child,
Which often ends in strife.
 
You give me guidance as I walk,
Lead me along the way,
But I keep trying to take charge
And ending up astray.
 
I don’t intend to argue with
The Creator of all,
But now and then I’m distracted
By this world’s siren call.
 
Until I realize, once more,
I’m fighting the wrong fight.
I turn around, get back on track,
Walking the path that’s right.
 
It’s good to know my wayward ways
Can’t keep me from Your grace.
That was a gift given by You,
And faith holds it in place.
 
Please help me keep my feet on track,
Cast distractions aside.
Then walk in faith, and hold to grace,
Staying close by Your side.
 
Ephesians 2:8-9 
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
 
Romans 6:14 
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

In Sync With You

 

I have this day planned and laid out,
But, first, I have to say,
Oh Lord, my plans are in Your hands
Please lead me through this day.
 
If what I have planned falls outside
What You need me to do,
Then change my plans so they conform
To those preferred by You.
 
I know that I walk through this world
With You close by my side,
So, I need to do what I can,
Then swallow all my pride
 
And thank You that my best laid plans
Fall under Your review.
The day always goes better when
I live in sync with 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.
 
Proverbs 16:3 
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Not Tossed By The Winds

The winds that blow across the earth
Do so on His command.
Though we may watch them come and go,
Their path rests in His hand.
 
He formed the waves upon the sea,
And, though we sail on them,
We don’t control their ebb and flow.
That power rests with Him.
 
He set the wind and waves in place.
He gave us His Word, too,
That we may be reborn in Him,
Live as we’re called to do.
 
Before we knew Him, we were lost.
Tossed by the winds of life.
We had no hope until He called
Us out of death and strife.
 
Why then do we think we can change
The nature of His Word
By reading it through worldly eyes.
That depth of pride’s absurd.
 
Let His Word live pure in your heart
Thus, when you face travail,
You do so knowing He controls
The winds by which you sail.
 
John 3:8 
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
 
Ephesians 4:14 
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 

God Is Not Mocked

 
Though I am not a scholar, Lord,
This much I’ve come to know,
You’ve told us more than once that we
Will reap that which we sow.
 
The fields sown with the Word of God
Will overflow with grace,
But those sown with sin will produce
Only death and disgrace.
 
Those who mock You and twist Your Word
To lead others astray,
Will find they’ve chosen a dark path
When they face judgement day.
 
I’m not being parochial,
You’ve said as much Yourself,
But far too many, today, put
Your Word on a back shelf.
 
They proclaim, in Your name, their lies,
Mocking the laws You gave.
As if they, too, hold Your power,
Which they so clearly crave.   
 
They are not You and when they speak
Their souls are scarred with sin
From which they will never be healed
Unless they turn again.
 
I fear that they don’t understand
The vast harvest they’ll reap
Sowing the blasphemies they speak,
The lies they choose to keep.
 
I pray that they will turn to You,
Step off the path they’re on
And seek to live within Your Word
Before their chance is gone.
 
Please help them, Lord, to understand
What lies ahead of them
That they may turn, seek Your grace, and
Avoid that harvest, grim.
 
Galatians 6:7 
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
 
Exodus 20:7 
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

The Better Part

 

Why is patience so hard to find
When it is needed most?
Yet, when it seems we are ignored,
Our patience becomes toast.
 
A little grace should be easy,
Since we each need it, too.
Still, grace can be hard to employ
When frustrations push through.
 
Why do we need to keep pushing
When the point is so clear,
But still they choose to not listen
To what they plainly hear.
 
It’s time to stop and take a breath,
There’s nothing else to do
When you’ve done all you could, then some,
To get the message through.

 

Just in case you think I’m speaking
Of myself in this praise,
No, I’m the one who’s frustrating,
Who hears, yet disobeys.
 
She tells me clearly what she wants
And I say “get in bed”,
When I should be saying, “Yes ma’am”,
And doing it, instead.  
 
Another treat, open the door,
She shouldn’t have to wait,
Yet I seem to think folding clothes
Excuses being late.
 
Despite all that, she loves me still,
And finds it in her heart
To forgive me all my failings.
Hers is the better part!
 
Ephesians 4:2-3 
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
 
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

Resting In His Light

 

She slipped out of this world, softly,
Into her Savior’s arms.
She’s resting in His perfect Light,
Far from this world of harms.
 
Though you knew it had to happen,
That doesn’t ease the pain,
But loving memories of her
Will soothe hurts that remain.
 
You had to let her go to Him,
But you’ll see her once more
When your turn comes to praise His name
Upon heaven’s bright shore.
 
Until then you can still see her,
Thanks to God’s perfect grace,
Each time her grandchildren and yours
Lift up a smiling face.
 
Rest now and give your grief some time
To give way to delight
Knowing that she is resting, too,
Within Her Savior’s Light.
 
Matthew 5:4 
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
 
John 16:22 
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Blessings And Thanks

And on a lighter note, tonight,
I just want to thank You
For giving me a chance to laugh
And lend a hand or two.
 
There is so much that distracts me
From counting my blessings,
But I do not forget they’re there,
Or the delight each brings.
 
The little things, the struggles met
And overcome with joy,
The day-to-day tasks that get done
With time left to enjoy.
 
The sun setting as the day cools
Enough to sit outside
And listen to the birds singing
Where peace and rest abide.
 
The stars come out to smile at me
As nighttime settles in,
And I am reminded once more
To count blessings again.
 
There are so many, I can’t count
Them all, though I try to,
But I know that each count begins
And finishes with You.
 
You are the first and last blessing,
And all that falls between
Is only there because of You.
The seen and the unseen.
 
So, on that lighter note, tonight,
I want to say thank You
For all the blessings of this day,
And for loving me, too.
 
Philippians 4:4 
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
 
Psalm 69:30 
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 

Blessed With Rest

You wrapped me in Your peaceful joy,
I felt it settle in.
I didn’t know I needed it,
Til I felt it begin.
 
A little knot loosened inside,
My breath began to slow,
And in that stillness I could feel
Your peace begin to grow.
 
Life is so busy these days, Lord,
And I am not as strong
As I was in my younger days
When I just rolled along.
 
Though, in my pride I won’t admit
That I’m feeling worn out,
I’m grateful You don’t heed my pride.
You know what I’m about.  
 
Tomorrow, things pick up again,
But, for a day or two,
I’ve had the chance to simply rest
And feel my strength renew.
 
In all the years I’ve walked this earth
I’ve never doubted You.
Though I doubt myself every day,
You always see me through.
 
Psalm 37:25 
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
 
Romans 8:28 
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

Cherishing Each Moment

A time to laugh, a time to cry,
A time for joy to bloom.
Yet, timing isn’t everything
If you don’t give it room.
 
We rush through life, our goal in mind,
And don’t stop to enjoy
The little moments in each day…
Distractions can annoy.
 
Until they’ve passed and we missed them,
Then there’s no going back,
And all we can hold onto is
A memory we lack.
 
Take time to laugh, and time to cry
And take time to rejoice.
The Lord created each minute,
Cherishing them’s our choice.
 
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 4 
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance
 
1 Thessalonians 5:11 
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

Stand On That Rock

 

I worry for the world some days,
Though we’ve been here before.
It seems like each time we’re at peace,
Evil kicks down the door.
 
I find myself despising those
Who seek to destroy all,
Knowing that they are answering
Once more, that evil call.
 
I know that I’m to love the man
While loathing the dark sin.
Yet, I catch myself loathing both,
And I must start again.
 
Get my feet back upon God’s path,
Stop only to take stock
Of all that He’s called me to be
Then stand strong on The Rock.
 
Don’t let the world distract me from
His Word and all it holds,
But offer grace to the lost souls,
Kindness to all the scolds.
 
Say no to sins, forgive sinners,
And help them find Him, too.
For all that He has done for me,
That’s not too much to do.
 
Through all of it, stand on that Rock,
Hold on to Him and know
That He will not let my foot slip
And He will not let go.
 
Psalm 62:6 
He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
 
Psalm 94:18 
When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.

Prayers Without Words

 

There’s too much weighing on my heart,
My words cannot take form,
But that’s alright because You hear
My tears above the storm.
 
Tonight, I lift up tears and prayers,
Knowing You’ll hear my call
Without the words my mind can’t form.
You’ll hear them, one and all.
 
I don’t need answers, I have You.
I know and trust Your plan,
And I also know, through Your grace,
You’ll do more than I can.
 
Tonight, I lift up tears and praise,
And, with all of my heart,
I thank You that You understand
What words cannot impart.
 
Psalm 56:8 
You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
 
Revelation 7:17 
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Darkness Is As Light

 

I stand within the shadowed lands,
My eyes fixed on His light.
Though I may walk in darkness now,
I do not fear the night.
 
For I am called to follow Him
Whose light does not grow dim,
And I don’t walk this path alone
When I walk it with Him.
 
So many cannot see His Light,
They will not raise their eyes,
But He is patient, He will wait,
That none needlessly dies.
 
There are those who choose to turn back,
The darkness holds their soul.
Though He came to redeem us all,
Some choose not to be whole.
 
They hunt the children of His Light.
Prowling within the dark,
Hoping to steal back one of His,
Quench His immortal spark.
 
Yet, those He’s called don’t fear darkness,
For even there He sees
Those who call out upon His name.
He hears our anxious pleas.
 
He stands beside me even now.
Look up and seek His Light,
That you, too, may walk this dark world
Unafraid of the night.
 
2 Peter 3:9 
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
 
Psalm 139:11-12 
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Blessings And Your Love

 

I thought I had it all in place,
But, clearly, I did not.
Yet, somehow, You managed to have
In place what I forgot.
 
I cannot understand the love
That sets blessings in place
Before I even have a need,
But, Lord, such is Your grace.
 
Your grace is an unceasing flow,
You bless me through each day.
Each worry or hope of my heart,
You know before I pray.
 
You’re the Light of the world, I know,
You brighten all my days,
But I can’t help standing in awe
As I lift up this praise.
 
Thank You for all the grace You give.
Thank You that I can see
Each blessing that I didn’t need
Thanks to Your love for me.
 
Luke 6:38 
give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
 
Psalm 118:24 
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Share Him With All Creation

 

We chat with others all day long,
Strangers met through the day,
And with each chat we have a chance
To share Him in our way.
 
We are to share His loving grace,
Keep it always in mind,
Don’t walk away without living
The truth they need to find.
 
Some share His word by speaking it,
Some share by living out
The life that He has called us to,
But He’s what it’s about.
 
Go then, each day, and share His truth
By word, prayer or deed,
But make a point, with all you meet,
To share what we all need… Him!
 
Mark 16:15 
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
 
Psalm 66:16 
Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

As You Watch Me

I pray You keep Your eye me,
But I think that, instead,
I should pray I keep You in sight,
Your Word in heart and head.
 
I want You watching over me,
And You do that always.
What I need You to help me do
Is seek You all my days.
 
This world can distract us so fast.
It happens with a thought,
And it is from such distractions
Our destruction is wrought.
 
Lord, please do keep Your eye on me,
But help me see You, too,
And help me live remembering
Your Word in all I do.
 
John 14:15 
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
 
Psalm 119:11 
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My Daily Bread

Give us today our daily bread.
Most people will concede
That request is about the food
Which a body will need.
 
They’re likely right, but I still hold
I need to feed this soul,
Which You have redeemed out of death,
To keep it strong and whole.
 
You’ve told us You’re the bread of life,
And that’s the bread I crave.
The bread that comes from time with You,
Who rose up from the grave.
 
Let my soul feed upon Your Word
Until it fills me up.
Then I’ll drink the Water of Life
You’ve poured into my cup.
 
Give me today my daily bread,
For body and soul, too.
Let me spend time with You each day,
The Bread I need is You.
 
Matthew 6:11 
Give us this day our daily bread,
 
John 6:35
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst 

Plant, Praise, And Pray

 

The light is hiding behind clouds
Who grumble in the sky.
A distant whistle can be heard
As the train passes by.
 
A country home, a simple life,
Enough to make it through,
And all of this they have because
They’ve placed their faith in You.
 
We plant, we water, but You grow.
It’s always been that way.
We work at what we can do here,
Then bow our head and pray.
 
You bring the sunshine and the rain,
Only You can do so.
We clear the weeds and guard the crops,
But they need You to grow.
 
It is the same way with Your church.
We plant Your Word each day,
But the harvest relies on You,
We plant, we praise, and pray.
 
1 Corinthians 3:7
So, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
 
Psalm 67:6   
The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.

Fellowship And Rest

 

I want to thank You for today,
For fellowship and peace.
I truly needed both of them,
Your blessings never cease.
 
The path I’ve been upon lately
Has been one of such joy
That even a weary body
Can’t distract or annoy.
 
Yet time to rest and catch my breath
Was such a great blessing,
And spending time in fellowship
Helped my weary soul sing.
 
For fellowship and rest today,
I lift my thanks and praise.
You always know just what I need,
Your blessings still amaze!
 
Philippians 4:19 
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
 
Psalm 145:9 
The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

Set On Things Above

 

I keep Your word within my heart,
Your counsel on my mind.
It is Your peace that my soul seeks
When things start to unwind.
 
There’s no place where my soul can rest
Outside of Your mercy,
And when the world seems upside down
You’re where I want to be.
 
Oh Lord, despite the world these days,
All praise I give to You.
For in You I find rest, and hope,
And strength to walk on through.
 
Colossians 3:2 
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
 
Psalm 62:5 
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Blessed By An Angel

 

You never know when they’ll stop by,
Angels sent by His grace,
But You will know by the blessings
That they leave in their place.
 
An angel stopped by here today
To lend a helping hand.
She just showed up, by chance it seemed,
But clearly as God planned.
 
She just appeared and then pitched in
With a kind, joyful heart.
She didn’t ask, she just stepped up,
And did more than her part.
 
Then she was gone. She flew away,
Leaving joy in her wake.
She’d helped out in a time of need,
And just for mercy’s sake.
 
He said that we’re to lend a hand
To those who stand in need,
And she stepped up to do just that.
She blessed us all, indeed.
 
Thank you, sweet lady, for the grace
With which you blessed our day.
We’re so grateful we had the chance
To meet you on your way!
 
Matthew 25:40 
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.’
 
Philippians 2:4 
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
 
To Bernadette! Thank you for being so amazing and funny and grace filled.