Deep in the Rock - Re-posted

My roots run deep into the rock

That shields me from the storm,

And though my world is tossed and whipped

I’ll come to no great harm.

 

I may be battered by the gales,

And weep before it’s done,

But with my roots deep in the rock

I know my fights been won.

 

I love to rise up in the sun

And feel a gentle breeze,

But I can hold on through a blast

That shatters mighty trees.

 

For I am rooted in the rock

And my roots still will grow

Deeper each day into that rock

From which true strength will flow.

 

Luke 6:48

They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

In God's Time - Re-posted

It bides its time and slowly grows,

Some things cannot be rushed,
It has the patience that it takes
And faith that can’t be crushed.
 

For all that happens at God’s pace

Works only for our good,
And God gives everything the time
To turn out like it should.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

A Grateful Prayer - Re-posted

It’s but a milestone on the path,

A day like other days,
Yet, Lord, I feel compelled today
To lift a special praise.
Thank You for bringing me this far
Across life’s ragged sky.
Thank You for giving me my wings
And teaching me to fly.  
Thank You for offering Your strength,
When mine proved all too frail,
Then helping me to rise above
Each storm, and to prevail.
But, most of all, I thank You, Lord,
Through all the joy and tears,
That You’ve loved me unfailingly
And will for all my years.

Precarious Times-Re-posted

Lord, these are precarious times,

All that was right is wrong.

I want to keep my balance, Lord,
But I’m not always strong.

I find that I want to fight back,
Though Love is what You ask.
I’m just not sure I love enough
To live up to that task.

The balance is so difficult
And I’m so near the edge,
I don’t know if I should hold on
Or climb back off the ledge.

I don’t like what is happening,
Or what I have to do.
I only know my single hope
Of doing right is You.

John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

A Sparkle in His Eye - Re-posted

It startles me, sometimes, to see
The world formed by His hand,
Where even insects in a pond
Appear regal and grand.
Mountains may tower to the sky,
The oceans swathe the earth,
But something smaller than my hand
Still equals them in worth,
For it was formed by the same grace
That shaped the boundless skies.
However tiny it may be,
It sparkles in His eyes.

I'll Try Again - Re-posted

I have to confess to You, Lord,

I’m not perfected yet.
I start each day with good intent
And end up with regret.
 
I ask You to forgive again,
What You forgave before.
I try each day to give my best
And end up failing more.
 
I don’t see how You can forgive
And watch me fail again,
But I pray You love me enough
That, one more time, You can.
 
So as the sun seeks a new dawn
I rise to face the day
Vowing to try today to do
What I failed yesterday.
 
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

What Lies Ahead - Re-posted

I try to see what lies ahead,

But I can’t see that far,
So I will trust the one who shaped
The mountain and the star.
 
There’s nothing in heaven or earth
That He did not place there.
As He has laid plans for my good,
I’ll trust I’m in His care.
 
He formed the worlds, and all therein,
Then set them all on course.
And nothing can alter the flow
That spills out from that source.
 
No, I may not see far ahead,
But this much I can see,
There’s nothing that can hide from Him,
And He’s shaped what will be.

Jeremiah 23:24
Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.

Reflecting on Good-bye - Re-posted

She wept as she spoke of her pain

For those she’ll leave behind
And worried that a final peace
Was something she’d not find.
 
So many came to say good-bye,
But could not speak that thought,
As if they broke beneath the pain, 
That single word had wrought. 
 
“I don’t feel sorry for myself,
At least I try not to,
I just wish I could show them all
How their love pulls me through.”
 
“I wish the words still found their way
From my thoughts to my voice,
But what comes out of my mouth now
Is often not my choice.”
 
She cried a little as she spoke.
Of course, it broke my heart, 
And I held her in trembling arms
As her world fell apart. 
 
But then she straightened up and smiled,
And wiped a teary eye. 
She said she wanted to be strong
Each time she said good-bye.
 
She hugged me tightly, one more time,
Then held me by the hand.
“I’m glad you came to see me, dear, 
I knew you’d understand.”
 
“And now I think I need to rest,
Come back if you’re nearby.
I’ll see you soon,” she said to me,
“And let's not say good-bye.” 

This was a conversation with a friend on Hospice, just a few days before heaven called her home. I still think of her and miss her warm smile. And we never did say "good-bye". 

Under His Watch - Re-posted

With thunder rumbling on the air,
And lightening drawing near,
It flitted joyfully along
Seemingly without fear.
 
I marveled at the fearlessness,
The reckless sense of joy,
With which it braved the rising storm.
It was not cowed nor coy.
 
As if it knew it would be safe,
No matter where it sailed;
Its comings and its goings watched
By One who’s never failed.
 
Psalm 121:7-8
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Out of Darkness - Re-posted

I tried to hide, but You found me.

You called me to Your side
And from that moment I knew, Lord,
I had no need to hide. 
 
I still am who I was before,
With scars and warts and all,
But I no longer hide in shame
Since I have heard Your call. 
 
I may not have it all worked out,
But, Lord, I’ll follow You.
You called me out of my darkness
That I might live anew.

Genesis 3:8
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.