Psalms and Laments 3

This is page 3 of Psalms and Laments. Page one is is located here and Page 2 here.

Since retiring a few years ago I’ve had the opportunity to do… well… nothing if I don’t want to. During those “nothing” times I do a lot of thinking and reflecting. Which sometimes leads to random thoughts that ultimately find their way to paper. And, it happens very quickly! If not, it’s gone!

Now to be sure, I do not consider myself a poet – not by a long shot! I simply look for a creative way to express a thought or a personal experience I’ve had, that in turn may encourage someone else.

I usually include a photograph. Sometimes the visual aids in telling the story, other times, oh, just because. So, if you’d like like, then read on. And, if you want to share with others – of course!

He bore my nails

Don’t wait

Don’t wait too long to learn in life,
That love trumps all, outlasts the strife.
No wealth nor fame can fill the soul,
Like mercy’s touch that makes us whole.

The world may tempt with fleeting gain,
But only grace can heal our pain.
A gentle word, a selfless deed,
Reflects the Savior our hearts need.

So lay down pride, and take up truth,
Let kindness guide both age and youth.
For when we love as Christ has shown,
We build His kingdom, stone by stone.

And when this life has reached its end,
We’ll meet the One who calls us friend.
Not judged by gold, nor praised for might,
But known by love, and crowned in light.

To be or not to be

Be a brother, not a bother,
A sister, a mother, even a father,
A shelter in storms, a calm in the fray,
A light for the lost who’ve wandered away.

Be a voice that speaks when silence stings,
A hand to hold through suffering things,
A laugh that lifts, a heart that hears,
A soul that stays through all the tears.

Be truth in a world gone madly blind,
The kindness people struggle to find,
Be peace when anger won’t let go,
The warmth that melts a heart of stone.

So, be the change you wish to see,
But most of all, be love in deed.

Are you making a difference?

Are you making a difference?
How would you know?
Take a look behind you,
Are there any who follow?

Do your words leave echoes,
In hearts that you’ve touched?
Do your hands lift others,
When the burden’s too much?

Are the seeds that you’ve scattered,
Now starting to grow?
Do they bloom in the dark,
Where no light dares to go?

A difference is quiet,
Not always in view,
But the world gently shifts,
When the difference is you.

Nature’s Window

I took a glimpse through nature’s window,
Where morning light began to spill,
A goldfinch swayed on petals slender,
The coneflower standing calm and still.

Its feathers flashed like rays of light,
A melody in yellow hue,
The breeze was like a quiet song,
The meadow filled with scents and dew.

It pecked with grace, then paused in silence,
A moment held in hush and air,
As if the earth had stopped to listen,
To beauty resting, unaware.

No painter’s brush nor poet’s letter,
Could craft what simple eyes had found,
A goldfinch on a cone of purple,
Where wonder grows without a sound.

Okay!

Here’s the backstory…

5/15-6/15 is Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month. About a month ago an acquaintance asked me, “How’s it going?” I said, “Okay.” (I’m really honest that way) “Just okay?” he replied. Then I filled him in. Which sparked these words.

When “okay” is okay,
There’s not much left to say,
No attitudes,
No platitudes,
Just a heart full of gratitude.

No chasing the highs,
No fearing the lows,
Just looking ahead,
Where calm water flows.

No need to shine,
No urge to fade,
Just living life,
In my own quiet way.

To catch my breath,
To feel the beat,
Just an “okay” day,
Within an “okay” week.

Regrets

If you look back over your shoulder,
As we often tend to do,
You’ll see regrets and “should’ve dones,”
And other failed “to dos.”

The echoes of forgotten days,
Still whisper through the years,
Mistakes that wore our hearts away,
And dreams dissolved in tears.

We walked through storms with empty hands,
Lost voices in the rain,
We carried burdens not our own,
And bore each other’s pain.

So…

Don’t let the past be your future,
Nor let guilt define your way,
For mercy walks beside you now,
With grace for each new day.

For every dawn must rise again,
However dark the night,
And hearts, though bruised and battle-worn,
Still turn to seek the Light.

What?

What is it that I’m trying to do,
When in fact, I should give it to You?
I carry the weight, I strive and I plan,
Forgetting it’s held in Your almighty hand.

I wander and scurry, I fight to be free,
Yet peace only comes when I get on my knees,
My strength is a vapor, my wisdom so small,
But You are much greater, you’re Lord over all.

So take all my striving, my doubt and my fear,
Remind me, O God, that You’re always near,
I surrender my will, my heart, and my days,
And trust in Your mercy, Your truth, and Your ways.

Tho’ not my direction, not my own goal,
But Yours be the plan that governs my soul,
For what can I gain if I lead on my own,
When joy is in walking the path that You’ve sown?

You-nique’

When you try to fit in,
You don’t fit at all,
You push and you grind,
Because of the Fall.

The edges get worn,
The flesh becomes torn,
It all started happening,
From the day you were born.

But if you just realize,
You were made to be you,
Comparing to others,
Is foolish and cruel.

So, look to the One,
Who made you complete,
No copy, no clone,
His image, unique.

His Inscription

Lord, how can we as humans,
Fathom the depths of glory?
From the dust of the ground You made us,
We’re all a part of Your story.

You breathed Your life within us,
A spark of heaven’s flame,
And when we stumble through the dark,
You call us each by name.

Your mercy rains upon us,
Like dew at break of day,
And when our hearts grow heavy,
Your love still lights the way.

So rejoice over us with singing,
And quiet us with your love,
Inscribed on your palms we are written,
With grace until all is done.

Trouble

Trouble on every corner,
Fighting in the streets,
Summer’s now upon us,
Can you feel the heat?

But joy comes with the morning,
To quiet the loudest fear,
The smallest acts of kindness,
Can dry a stranger’s tear.

Though thunderclouds may gather,
And shadows stretch far and wide,
The light is never vanquished,
When Hope is by our side.

So take your neighbor’s hand now,
Let love begin to grow,
Everything we need for life,
Is revealed for us to know.

Our Faith is not a whisper,
It’s marching in our song,
The fire that lights the darkness,
Has been burning all along.

Pray

Pay when you feel it,
Pray when you don’t,
Pray when uncertain,
But drop all your stones.

Pray when disturbed,
Pray when distressed,
Pray with a partner,
You’re gonna be blessed.

Pray for the hurting,
Pray for the saints,
Pray with all boldness,
Just pray and don’t faint.

Pray against darkness,
Pray against powers,
Pray against evil,
Keep watch every hour.

Pray when you’re healthy,
Pray when in pain,
Pray in the Word,
There’s so much to gain.

Pray for our culture,
Pray for our peace,
Pray for injustice,
Pray and don’t cease.

Pray with your family,
Pray when alone,
Pray at all times,
To the God who is known.

Pray in your spirit,
Pray with your voice,
Pray in your worship,
Pray and make noise.

Pray through the battle,
Pray, don’t delay,
Victory is certain,
When you kneel down and pray.

500 Pebbles

500 pebbles dropped in a pond,
Started a wave that carries on,
One by one, they left the past,
Broke old chains that were meant to last.

They plunged with grace, yet rose in might,
Washed in mercy, crowned in light,
Ripples danced where stillness lay,
Faith awakened to seize the day.

Each pebble cast with sacred hand,
Marks a heart that takes a stand,
To walk the path, though shadows fall,
To heed the quiet, heavenly call.

From silent depths the echoes swell,
With stories only time will tell,
Hope flows forth in endless streams,
Fed by prayers and burning dreams.

So let them fall these stones of grace,
And shape the world from place to place,
For faith once stirred can never cease,
It moves the soul, it speaks of peace.

For what!

For what,
For what,
For what!
Hundreds of thousands – dead,
Millions of people – fled.

For what,
For what,
For what!
Fields that once grew golden grain,
Now soaked with blood and harbor pain.

For what,
For what,
For what!
Mothers kiss the graves of stone,
Their sons will not return to home.

For what,
For what,
For what!
The lullabies are mostly hushed,
The playgrounds cracked and spirits crushed.

For what,
For what,
For what!
The churches toll no ringing bell,
The faithful walk through endless hell.

For what,
For what,
For what!
The skies turns black with heavy smoke,
Promises made are always broken.

For what,
For what,
For what!
To take a land that bleeds and weeps,
When silence can no longer sleep?

For this,
For this,
For this!
In a God we still believe,
With heart to love and soul to grieve.