A Better View

It’s time that I lift myself up

And change my point of view.
I have to reach some higher ground
To find the pathway through.
 
This world is getting crazier
With every passing day
And if I can’t find higher ground
I might well go astray.
 
There are so many crossing paths
That seem right at first glance,
But I would be much wiser to
Look upon them askance.
 
I don’t have time to sit and wait,
But I need to see clear
So I can avoid pits and snares
Before I draw too near.
 
Oh Lord, please help me to climb up,
And find a better view.
I’m trying to stay on the path
That leads me right to You.
 
Proverbs 22:5
In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

This photo is a blessing from ATF from a recent photo safari in Africa. She has given me so many and I hope to work more of them in as we go! Thank you, ATF!

The Edge of Sorrow

At the ragged edge of sorrow

Where old memories live on,
There the heart longs for tomorrow,
Though yesterday's never gone.
 
It is in such empty places
That the brokenhearted dwell,
Striving to erase the traces
Of their spirit crushing hell.
 
All the long years of their grieving
Will give way in time to peace,
But for now, there’s no believing
Sorrow will give them surcease.
 
Hold them, Lord, within Your stillness,
Heal their broken, tortured hearts.
Hopelessness becomes an illness,
But, in You, true healing starts.
 
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

A Prayer For Our Little Ones - Re-posted

Don’t let them stray far from the path,

Lord, keep them on the way;
And, if You don’t mind, make their trail
Straight and smooth, I pray. 
 
I know that there must be some dips
And hills along their road,
But let them be the little kind.
Oh, and a lighter load. 
 
I want to shelter them, oh Lord,
From all that could bring harm,
Though I know that they’re safest when
They're snuggled in Your arm. 
 
I know their path will be their own
And You have them in hand,
But I still love them oh so much. 
I know You understand. 
 
Psalm 143:10 
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Doing My Part - Re-posted

I’m more than I might seem to be,

Not just a chubby face.
In fact, I’m part of the great plan
Which God has put in place.
 
My part is not significant,
But, even though it’s small,
I will answer joyfully
When I hear my Lord call.
 
You might not think it matters much,
The task that He made mine,
But God made me to do this work
And that suits me just fine!

Weeping and Peace

My heart is touched by weeping Lord,

That simply won’t subside
My cheeks are flooded with the tears
My brimming eyes have cried.
 
I wish that I could find the peace
That always eludes me,
But there is no peace in this world
As far as I can see.
 
But still I trust in Your Grace, Lord,
For Your promise is true.
I may not find peace in this world,
But I have peace in You.
 
So I will weep a while longer,
For this world’s full of pain.
And, in the end, the tears will pass,
While Your peace will remain.
 
Job 16:16-17
My face is red with weeping, dark shadows ring my eyes;
yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure.

What's In My Way - Re-posted

There’s always something in the way,

Some little snag or snare.
It’s not enough to dissuade me,
Just slow my getting there.
 
Sometimes I let it frustrate me,
And I forgo all grace.
But all that does is make it worse,
And I'm in the same place.
 
I need to get perspective back,
Shrug those small things away.
There’s far too much that matters more
To let them cause dismay.
 
Lord, help me see small things as small,
And focus on my goal.
That way I’ll get there happier
In heart and mind and soul.

Watch For Dawn - Re-posted

The colors of the dying day

Drift into coming night,
Defying darkness’s onset
With one last burst of light.
 
It will not admit all is lost,
Though night is rushing in.
For it knows full well, with the dawn,
That it will come again.
 
It’s easy to believe I’m lost
When darkness looms ahead,
But, like the day that drifts to night,
I’ll watch for dawn instead.  

In Abundance - Re-posted

I pray for you, abundant life,

In all things of value;
Love and joy, mercy and peace
Enough to see you through,
 
Family and friends who love you
When life is hard to bear
That you might find the strength you need
Never to know despair,
 
A chance to do more than you thought
And even sometimes fail,
So you can face whatever comes
With faith that will prevail.
 
I pray for you, abundant life
Filled with God’s gifts of grace,
And, most of all, I pray that you
Live life in His embrace.
 
Jude 1:2
Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance

Help Me Understand

I cry out to You in my fear,

My worry and my doubt.
When I can’t fathom a way though,
I know You’ll lead me out.
 
But what I find most troubling, Lord,
Is that I still know fear.
Though You have always answered me,
I sometimes doubt You hear.
 
I don’t know what it will take, Lord,
For me to understand
That You love me enough that You
Hold me within Your hand.
 
Perhaps You need to write it bold
Across the morning sky
So even I can understand
The truth I can’t deny!
 
I want to live with faith in You
And leave my doubts behind.
So, Lord, please help me understand
With both my heart and mind!
 
Psalm 119:34
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

Meager Wealth - Re-posted

My pickings seem meager to me,

But when I think of those
Who live without hope every day,
Without clean food or clothes,
I recognize my cup is full,
That I am blessed indeed.
I lift a grateful praise to You,
You meet my every need.
 
So I don’t ask for more for me
I ask it for the weak,
I ask it for the hungry poor,
The lost, afraid to seek,
And for those trapped within nightmares
Though they are wide awake.
Oh Lord, please fill their empty cups,
I ask You for their sake.       
 
Psalm 23: 5-6
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.