Hiding In You

When the world has overwhelmed me

And I must run and hide,
You offer me a place of peace
Where stillness will abide.
For only in your loving grace
Can I find what I need,
And so I turn to you, My Lord,
Give me respite, I plead.

Isaiah 4:6

It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

To Cherish Our Elders

Now and then the younger blooms

Will tease her for her age,
But she just smiles because she knows
That she’s a wise old sage.

For every petal she’s seen fall

Reminds her of a time
When she reached out a helping hand
or faced a peak to climb.

They might remind her of a smile

From someone she once knew,
Or maybe they reflect a dream
That she got to see through.

Yes, those young blossoms like to tease,

But they love her sweet face
For she's taught them how to address
All that life brings with grace.

And so those cheery younger blooms

Lean close because they know
That they will miss her loving heart
When God calls her to go.  

Job 8:21

Though sorrow may reach out to you,

Don’t let it change your heart.
Let every tear drop that you weep
Be the place joy can start.
For laughter always dries up tears
Like rain melts with the sun
And joy will burst forth everywhere
As soon as weeping’s done.

Job 8:21

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

1 John 4:11

Even a prickly little bloom

Can have a sweeter side.
A loving heart will find a way
To bring out what’s inside.

A gentle soul will take the time

To work around each thorn
Until it finds a way to reach
The place where love is born.

For once he wore a crown of thorns

Because he loved us so;
And he’s asked us to seek that love
Even where thorns still grow.

1 John 4:11

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

The Lighthouse

Far out on the desolate point

The battered lighthouse stands.
So small against the heaving waves
And yet one understands
That, if it were not standing there
Through all the storms that rise,
So many precious souls would drown
With none to hear their cries.

We may not be the brightest light

That God placed on the shore
But there are those tossed in life’s gales
Whom we must not ignore.
They are the ones clinging to life
While storm winds rage inside
And your light might be all that keeps
Them riding on the tide.

Don’t seek great praise for shining out,

But let your light grow bright.
God made you to be his lighthouse,
Stand strong, reflect his light
That you might lead the lost back home
Or save a drowning soul.
You may not be the brightest light,
But it’s a trusted role.

Again, thanks to Kelli Kercheval for the perfect photo to embody today's praise.

Mighty Is The Lord

The heavens echo with your voice,

The mountain breathes your word.
Within the depths of the cold sea
Your every thought is heard.

Oh Lord, how mighty are your plans;

What splendor you command.
How far beyond my humble thoughts
Are the works of your hand.

Oh Lord I dwell where mountain peaks

Reach to the boundless sky,
Where bounty greater than my dreams
Is laid before my eye,

And I am often overwhelmed,

Lord, when I understand
The endless power you possess,
The love at your command.

Psalm 89:8

Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

My deepest thanks to Kirby and Kelli Kerchval for permission to use their wonderful photo of Mt Rainier

Waiting Quietly

Much noisy laughter filled the day,

And many busy chores,
But, with the setting of the sun,
Peace falls upon our shores.

I listened through the busy day
To hear your loving voice,
But little could be heard above
The laughter and the noise.

So, as the evening settles down,

I wait upon your word,
For I know, with a quiet heart,
Your voice will soon be heard.

Lamentations 3:26

it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Another Thank You to Family

Family is God’s greatest gift,
The one that will come through;
When all you want to do is hide,
There right there, beside you.

There may be squabbles now and then,

But when the times are tough,
It’s family that sees you through;
And some time’s enough.

So thank you, to my family,

For everything you do.
You are the best gift God gave me
I’m so blessed to have you.

Resting in the Lord

My labors finished by day’s end,

I rested in the sun.
Oh thank you, Lord, for this fair day
And for the work that’s done.

Exodus 33:14

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Just.... Thank You

Tonight my thoughts are simple, Lord,

I’m glad you’re there for me,
Cause things got so much rougher than
I thought that they would be.
Yet you were there to see me through,
Like I knew you would be,
And so I‘ll simply say thank you
For watching over me.