Beginnings...

Today is the official first day of Spring. With it, comes sadness for me as I remember a dear lost loved one, who now resides with the Lord. But along with this sadness comes a clear breath, a clear mind, and a hopeful joy that only God can bless one with. I know I shall see her again. I know that I am in God's hands and he directs and keeps me.

This is a poem I wrote a while after my grandmother passed. I knew the night she would pass and when I woke that next morning, I knew she had left us. You see, she and I were deeply connected. Not only do I miss our grandmother/granddaughter relationship...I also miss our friendship...she was my best friend.

Tangled Fingers

Tangled fingers in sunset glow,
transparent skin and one not old.
Taunting tickings cause us to slow
neither palm wanting to let go.

Time to slip in drips of death
angelic hands pull and insist;
demanding good-byes from our breath
slower we walk and resist.

A gentle press as we agree
life’s rules will wait for our command:
a moment more, still too brief,
walking, tangled --hand in hand.

No hurry to step on grey grave ground,
we smile and talk as before,
until I wake to unwelcome sounds
of quiet steps beyond life’s door.

Fingers slip from tangled weaving,
tracing life in carved stone;
like a whisper gently stealing
I notice now --I walk alone.

And to leave you with a positive thought...


Promises

Rhythmic promises in the skyline dawn
as little sprinkles of leaf buds yawn
Restless winds breathe through brown branches
as time lays down life’s new chances
Calming sighs slip from every man
as yellow rays creep across the land
Small green blades peek from the ground
as Spring’s soft song begins to sound.

Psalm 13:5-6
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 17:15
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Psalm 30:4
Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Did he see you?

I was reading in Revelation a while ago (no, it isn't a scary book of the Bible) and was given a beautiful message that I would like to share. The verses that struck me were these:

Revelation 7:9-12

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."

After reading the rest of the chapter and thinking on it, God impressed something on me. It was a message I needed to hear from him and it blessed my soul greatly. Suddenly, in my mind and heart I heard these words, "John saw me in that multitude. John saw me in this vision. My face was in that crowd." I cried. And after I cried I wanted to leap and dance around the room!

Take a moment and think about this image. Read the verse again. Think about this question: Did John see your face among the multitude around the throne of the Lamb?

Read on in the chapter:

Revelation 7:13-17

"And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

And so I ask again: Did he see you there?

Turning the Page

I have turned the page once again, on the calendar. A new month brings new opportunities, new experiences, and new light to the days in which we live. If you are worried, stressed, or overwhelmed, listen to the verse that is sitting on this calendar page:

Psalm 18:2-3

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies."

Think about each of these words:

My rock: a solid foundation that is strong and unmoving...

My fortress: a fortifide place, impenetrable...

My deliverer: the one who saves me from all things...

My God: Praise the Lord!

My strength: the power that keeps me going, that leads me, that never lets me go...

My buckler: a shield for all the firy darts the enemy wants to throw...

The horn of my salvation: a resting place where no one can touch me...

My high tower: a place of total safety and protection...

God is here for us. He is the only one on whom we can fully place our trust and our lives.