Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts

June 7, 2011

Who I Am: a Birthday Reflection

No accident,
I am a product of
places lived,
choices made,
experiences had,
but mostly,
people known.

Parents, siblings, friends,
spouse, children, neighbors,
pastors, teachers, employers,
YOU
shaping - 
as clay in the potter's hand
gently molding
or
roughly kneading - 
me
into me.

Steps guided by the Creator,
my path crossing yours
mingling a while
in history.
I give thanks
to Him
for using you
to mold me 
into who I am.

April 22, 2011

The Good-est Friday There Ever Was

crucifiction-jesus-christ
It was not a good Friday for our Lord.
He suffered:
mockery, flogging, cross, nails.
God the Father looked away.
Jesus died.

Love drove Him there;
love kept Him there.
Greater than love for you and me,
Jesus loved His Father,
desiring to please Him alone.


God's wrath was satisfied
on that tree.
The sin of all mankind atoned for,
by the One who was called and obeyed.


Blood and water spilled out,
a final cry,
it IS finished.
The curtain torn in two.
Good Friday!

You see, at  just the right time,
when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6

February 20, 2011

Morning Run in My City


The moon's business is done
as the sun rises to the sound of birds chirping,
coloring the sky with soft, cotton candy pastels.
Friends gather to run,
the exercise jarring bodies awake
before the day's duties begin.
The path is clear,
the air crisp,
the chatter constant,
as feet pound the pavement and breaths quicken.

We cross a river in this city of bridges;
from below, geese honk out commands in formation.
The glassy waters speaks peace,
the previous days' wild winds forgotten
in her clear reflection
of the shore's trees and structures.
An endless train clickety-clacks to its destination,
the rhythms of city life continuing
around the clock.
Skyscrapers in the distance reflect the sunlight
in metallic splendor,
the bridge before them a faithful sentinel.

Barges remind of the time this city was dominated by
steel, smoke, and smog.
Shores previously lined with filthy factories
now replaced
by sleek office buildings,
popular restaurants,
lovely walking trails.
Nature and industry dancing through history
in this city I called home,
this beautiful city I call home.

February 15, 2011

Tuesday, Before Dinner

The hum of rush hour above me
tuned out
I hear birds
chirping
my children
playing
laughter
quick footsteps
as they run

I see houses around
some crumbling
others kept
the empty church
quiet
a car passing
home time
or
a pint and sustenance
at Big Jim's

I feel warm
gloves
no hat
a gift
in February
swinging
at the playground
heart swelling
thanksgiving
praise
to the Giver

February 5, 2011

Sabbath Preparations: inside and out

another work day
Saturday
home improvement
messes from the week
running errands
lesson plans
meal plans
in addition to
the usual day-to-day
tasks

tomorrow is different
no work
rest
can I trust
will I let go
He asks me to obey
I must let go
what is not done
on lists for Monday

my Father cares for me
my Father loves me
no condemnation
no abandonment
no fear

provision
love
repent
believe
worship
rest

May 8, 2010

Happy Mother's Day!

Below is an attempt at a poem for you mothers out there! I think it's mostly from the perspective of a mommy with small kids. But I hope you're encouraged nonetheless. It's no light thing, motherhood. Today my prayer for you is that you would delight a little more in what you've been called to as a mom and seek to honor God in the joys and the challenges of it. You are not the only mom who yells at or gets frustrated with her kids and at the end of the day wonders if she's accomplished anything at all; you're in a REALLY BIG club with those of us who feel the same. The members of that club also all love their children so deeply they would do anything for them.

Mom, your work is beautiful. Your children are blessed to have you!

And now, a poem followed by some photos:

MOM

Early mornings
Late nights
Make meals
Mediate fights
Read stories
Pick up toys
Nurture, protect
Savor the joys
Teach, correct
Cuddles, hugs
Wash clothes
Kill bugs
Laugh at jokes
That are not funny
Pinch pennies
To save some money
Work hard
But don't forget,
This is your greatest
Calling yet.
Persevere with hope;
Keep it up!
And let the Good Lord
Fill your cup.

My daughter got me these lovely flowers yesterday, and this is the table I had to put them on. ha ha ha!


My kids, who make it all possible!
Whatever "it" is....


Happy Mother's Day!
Cheers!!