*I couldn't let May go by completely without a post on this blog, so while I was thinking of what to post I got to skimming through some friends' blogs. When I read this post on Jennifer's blog about the sudden death of one their sweet little babies, I knew instantly what I wanted to post: this poem I wrote a couple years ago. And while I'm thinking about it, please pray for Jennifer and the other staff, children, etc. at the three Casas de Amor in Bolivia.*
Deep in our hearts, Lord, there echoes a “why?”—
Why do so many loved babies die?
Day after day we see walking along
Mothers who chose to cut short a life’s song.
Yet we, in a heartbeat, would take in each one,
Shelter them, love them ‘til long life is done.
But in that same heartbeat the child of our love
Is taken from our arms to Yours up above.
And all that seems left when the nightmare is o’er
Is a heart full of questions, asking, “Why us, dear Lord?”
Yet night after night no answer we find
To quiet the questions that race through our minds.
Father, fill our hearts with Your peace and grace;
Help us endure what we cannot embrace;
Help us to trust You whatever the cost,
Though our arms ache to hold the dear baby we lost.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Jesus Like a Child Make Me - Gods Hand
Thursday morning was beautiful. Mark and I had a great energy as we walked nad sang on the way to the daycare early in the morning. The sun was rising and the sky was a pretty blue. As I walked and considered all that had to be done in the day I grew impatient with Mark slowing down beside me. I stopped. There my son stood gazing at a cloud over his school. With a gentle smile he said 'Mommy look!' and pointed upwards. I encouraged him to continue walking or mommy would be late. That it was just a few whisps of cloud. He turned to me and said 'Don't you see it? Don't you see Gods hand?'. 'Gods waving at us mommy and his hand is there to protect my school!'
Leaving the daycare after dropping Mark off I turned to look again at 'Gods Hand'. Sure enough as I gazed at the sky I could see it now ... a hand, palm downward, reaching out over the school. Gods hand ... leading and guiding and protecting all who would see it.
I wrote this almost 6 months ago now ... and yet I know I need to hear it again.
Jesus, Like a Child Make Me
Jesus, like a child make me.
Open my eyes that I may freshly see:
Your power - your wonder - your majesty.
To see you anew is my plea!
Tell me the stories I once knew.
The simple stories so strong and true:
Daniel - the fiery furnace - Noah’s ark too.
Oh, How I long to hear them anew!
Teach me to see the works of your hand.
Your beauty created all over this land:
The mountains - the seas - a baby’s small hand.
To see with wonder what I don’t understand.
A child sees with wonder your amazing grace.
I dearly long for that childlike faith.
See your works, your hands, your face.
Oh, to be back in that innocent place.
The place where hardships will never intervene.
Where the true songs and stories forever ring.
Where faith is easy and covers everything.
I long for the joy that time would bring.
Jesus like a child make me.
Open my eyes that I may see.
Past the hardships of life’s reality.
To see you anew is my plea.
Hugs and prayers everyone.
Leaving the daycare after dropping Mark off I turned to look again at 'Gods Hand'. Sure enough as I gazed at the sky I could see it now ... a hand, palm downward, reaching out over the school. Gods hand ... leading and guiding and protecting all who would see it.
I wrote this almost 6 months ago now ... and yet I know I need to hear it again.
Jesus, Like a Child Make Me
Jesus, like a child make me.
Open my eyes that I may freshly see:
Your power - your wonder - your majesty.
To see you anew is my plea!
Tell me the stories I once knew.
The simple stories so strong and true:
Daniel - the fiery furnace - Noah’s ark too.
Oh, How I long to hear them anew!
Teach me to see the works of your hand.
Your beauty created all over this land:
The mountains - the seas - a baby’s small hand.
To see with wonder what I don’t understand.
A child sees with wonder your amazing grace.
I dearly long for that childlike faith.
See your works, your hands, your face.
Oh, to be back in that innocent place.
The place where hardships will never intervene.
Where the true songs and stories forever ring.
Where faith is easy and covers everything.
I long for the joy that time would bring.
Jesus like a child make me.
Open my eyes that I may see.
Past the hardships of life’s reality.
To see you anew is my plea.
Hugs and prayers everyone.
Monday, March 30, 2009
No Distractions
Saturday we took part in Earth Hour. At 8:30pm all electronics were turned off and unplugged ... candles were lit. In the candle light Mark - my son - and I sang while rolling a ball back and forth. We / I sang for the entire hour ... songs of praise, worship and adoration.
It's a blessing to take time and turn off everything and just be. I think we will be doing this a lot more often. Singing praises by candlelight is such an incredible feeling. With all the lights, sounds, and distractions turned off you can really focus on the important things in life and the things that God has been placing in your heart that just maybe you couldn't hear.
At least as I sat and sung that particular song I am so stuck in I could hear God whispering sweet and low. Answers that I have prayed for all week came to me this past hour by the flickering light.
I want to challenge you all to sit with no distractions and listen to God. Really listen to whatever he may have to say. Someone once told me that it is only when our hearts are truly silent that we will hear God sing.
'How Awesome is our God?
Always faithful! Always True!
Forever walking beside us
Just Loving me and you!
Reach out to him in faith;
Put your hand in his own.
Let him Love you and lead you
Till he brings you safe home.'
It's a blessing to take time and turn off everything and just be. I think we will be doing this a lot more often. Singing praises by candlelight is such an incredible feeling. With all the lights, sounds, and distractions turned off you can really focus on the important things in life and the things that God has been placing in your heart that just maybe you couldn't hear.
At least as I sat and sung that particular song I am so stuck in I could hear God whispering sweet and low. Answers that I have prayed for all week came to me this past hour by the flickering light.
I want to challenge you all to sit with no distractions and listen to God. Really listen to whatever he may have to say. Someone once told me that it is only when our hearts are truly silent that we will hear God sing.
'How Awesome is our God?
Always faithful! Always True!
Forever walking beside us
Just Loving me and you!
Reach out to him in faith;
Put your hand in his own.
Let him Love you and lead you
Till he brings you safe home.'
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Right Where He Wants Us
Exodus 5:22-6:1
"So Moses returned to the LORD and said, 'Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharoah to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.'
Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Now you shall see what I will do to Pharoah. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.'"
Moses is really seeing the human impossibility of the task God has given him; he has reached the point where all he can see is "I can't". The beauty of it is, that's right where God wants him! Because now, God says, Moses will see what the LORD can do.
God had to bring Moses to the point where he knew he couldn’t do what God had called him to do. Once that was abundantly clear, then it became equally clear that anything good that did happen was unquestionably God’s work. In the next 7 verses (Exodus 6:2-8), as the Lord is encouraging Moses and exhorting him to press on in the face of the impossible, He keeps repeating one very important phrase: "I am the LORD." He says it 4 times in the space of these 7 verses. 'Nuff said! I smile as I read it, because it's almost as if God is saying, "Come on, people, I'm GOD! Just what is it you think is going to stop Me?!"
I believe that God does not give us little human-sized visions or missions, but that He calls us to accomplish God-sized tasks so He can work through us. We grow in Him and He gets the glory!
So when you reach the end of your rope, and all you can see is "I can't"--great! That's right where He wants you. God can, so press on in what He has called you to do. After all, He is the LORD!
"So Moses returned to the LORD and said, 'Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharoah to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.'
Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Now you shall see what I will do to Pharoah. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.'"
Moses is really seeing the human impossibility of the task God has given him; he has reached the point where all he can see is "I can't". The beauty of it is, that's right where God wants him! Because now, God says, Moses will see what the LORD can do.
God had to bring Moses to the point where he knew he couldn’t do what God had called him to do. Once that was abundantly clear, then it became equally clear that anything good that did happen was unquestionably God’s work. In the next 7 verses (Exodus 6:2-8), as the Lord is encouraging Moses and exhorting him to press on in the face of the impossible, He keeps repeating one very important phrase: "I am the LORD." He says it 4 times in the space of these 7 verses. 'Nuff said! I smile as I read it, because it's almost as if God is saying, "Come on, people, I'm GOD! Just what is it you think is going to stop Me?!"
I believe that God does not give us little human-sized visions or missions, but that He calls us to accomplish God-sized tasks so He can work through us. We grow in Him and He gets the glory!
So when you reach the end of your rope, and all you can see is "I can't"--great! That's right where He wants you. God can, so press on in what He has called you to do. After all, He is the LORD!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Forever I’ll put my Faith in God
In God alone I’ll put my faith.
For all Earthly things will pass away.
Friendships grow and fade again.
Praise God! He’s there day by day.
I’ve been hurt time and again.
Placing faith in the hearts and hands of men.
Always searching for a forever-faithful friend.
Thank God His love knows no end!
I’ll put my faith in God's unfailing love.
I’ll set my eyes on Heaven above.
I’ve been bought by His cleansing blood!
Forever I’ll put my faith in God!
God is there when days are sunny and bright.
He walks beside me though the long, dark night.
He carries me along when sorrow steals my sight.
His grace and mercy will make everything right.
Now and forever He’s my savior, friend and guide.
Preparing my home with Him on high.
Through faith I will never again fear to die.
I know He’ll be there to meet me on the other side!
For all Earthly things will pass away.
Friendships grow and fade again.
Praise God! He’s there day by day.
I’ve been hurt time and again.
Placing faith in the hearts and hands of men.
Always searching for a forever-faithful friend.
Thank God His love knows no end!
I’ll put my faith in God's unfailing love.
I’ll set my eyes on Heaven above.
I’ve been bought by His cleansing blood!
Forever I’ll put my faith in God!
God is there when days are sunny and bright.
He walks beside me though the long, dark night.
He carries me along when sorrow steals my sight.
His grace and mercy will make everything right.
Now and forever He’s my savior, friend and guide.
Preparing my home with Him on high.
Through faith I will never again fear to die.
I know He’ll be there to meet me on the other side!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Lord Will be There all The While
When God brings you to it
Fear not for He will bring you through it!
Just reach out and put your hand in His own.
Trust and have faith in the love He has shown.
Trust Him to guide you and lead you on.
Know that forever in His care you belong.
No matter the circumstance - No matter the trial
The Lord will be there all the while
When the skies turn dark, stormy and grey
Have faith the Lord will show you His way.
When your heart fills with sadness and with fear
The Lord can dry every fallen tear.
He alone knows your heart and knows your life
Trust His hand will lead you through your strife.
No matter the circumstance - No matter the trial
The Lord will be there all the while
Through whatever hardships may come your way
The Lord will be there with you day by day!
Only He can see your best way through.
For He has a plan designed just for you!
So trust that in everything He will understand
Reach out and take His loving, guiding hand.
No matter the circumstance - No matter the trial
The Lord will be there all the while
When God brings you to it
Fear not for He will bring you through it.
In everything that happens He molds His clay
So fear not the trials you face along the way
He’s molding and making you fit to fly
To live forever in His glorious home on high!
Fear not for He will bring you through it!
Just reach out and put your hand in His own.
Trust and have faith in the love He has shown.
Trust Him to guide you and lead you on.
Know that forever in His care you belong.
No matter the circumstance - No matter the trial
The Lord will be there all the while
When the skies turn dark, stormy and grey
Have faith the Lord will show you His way.
When your heart fills with sadness and with fear
The Lord can dry every fallen tear.
He alone knows your heart and knows your life
Trust His hand will lead you through your strife.
No matter the circumstance - No matter the trial
The Lord will be there all the while
Through whatever hardships may come your way
The Lord will be there with you day by day!
Only He can see your best way through.
For He has a plan designed just for you!
So trust that in everything He will understand
Reach out and take His loving, guiding hand.
No matter the circumstance - No matter the trial
The Lord will be there all the while
When God brings you to it
Fear not for He will bring you through it.
In everything that happens He molds His clay
So fear not the trials you face along the way
He’s molding and making you fit to fly
To live forever in His glorious home on high!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valentine
The greatest of lovers is my Valentine--
He finds so many ways to say, "Would you 'be Mine'?"
He writes a love song for the birds to sing;
Its sound through plains and forests rings.
He blows me kisses on the breeze,
And asks, "Be My valentine, please?"
He paints the sunrise every morn,
He holds me when I'm tired or torn;
He never asks me why I cry,
He just holds me 'til the tears are dry.
He makes the stars like diamonds shine,
And asks me, "Won't you please 'be Mine'?"
He whispers His love in the rippling brook,
And the blue sky is filled with His sweet, smiling look.
He ends the day with sunsets bright,
Then hangs the moon with gentle light.
His gift is to hold a sleeping baby
To give me a taste of how He loves to hold me.
He hugs me so tight, so close to His heart,
While He whispers, "Never will we have to part."
And if ever for a moment His love I should doubt,
He proclaims it in thunder with the loudest of shouts.
And who is this Man who asks, "Would you 'be Mine'?"
Jesus Christ is my sweet Valentine!
He finds so many ways to say, "Would you 'be Mine'?"
He writes a love song for the birds to sing;
Its sound through plains and forests rings.
He blows me kisses on the breeze,
And asks, "Be My valentine, please?"
He paints the sunrise every morn,
He holds me when I'm tired or torn;
He never asks me why I cry,
He just holds me 'til the tears are dry.
He makes the stars like diamonds shine,
And asks me, "Won't you please 'be Mine'?"
He whispers His love in the rippling brook,
And the blue sky is filled with His sweet, smiling look.
He ends the day with sunsets bright,
Then hangs the moon with gentle light.
His gift is to hold a sleeping baby
To give me a taste of how He loves to hold me.
He hugs me so tight, so close to His heart,
While He whispers, "Never will we have to part."
And if ever for a moment His love I should doubt,
He proclaims it in thunder with the loudest of shouts.
And who is this Man who asks, "Would you 'be Mine'?"
Jesus Christ is my sweet Valentine!
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