God guide this day
With your blessing and grace;
Judge not with justice
But put mercy in its place.
Look not to the doings
But to the intent of the deed;
Let our thoughts be guided
By your planted seed.
When confusion sets in
Lord send us your peace.
The one that passes understanding
And sends comfort through grief.
When worthlessness and depression
Come knocking at my door;
Lord double the reinforcements
That weren’t there before.
When the voices say that no one loves you
Help me remember that’s not true;
When all the world has turned against me
Let me know there’s trust in you.
When my prayers feel like no one’s coming
And I cannot hear your voice;
Let me see past circumstances,
Let having faith always be my choice.
     © 9/12/2003

There is strength in the word.
My strength is made perfect in my weakness;
As long as I stay focused on Him.
His grace is all encompassing
And it covers me,
Like a blanket fresh out of the dryer
On a cold chilly night.
His spirit soothes like balm on a fresh cut;
Even though it still hurts,
You know it will get better.
His word is full of promise and direction.
And as long as His word is in me,
He guides my path and gives me hope.
     © 9/1/2000

Help puts a smile
On another’s face
Help lends the helper
God’s gift of grace.
When you feel all alone
With now way to cope;
God sends a helper
To lend you some hope.
     © 8/18/2000

Transient confusion
Senility kicking in;
Who knows.
In the beginning
There was purpose.

Red brick houses
One after another,
No deviation from the form.

Then
I spy the odd one;

The misfit
The outcast
Finally,
someone who thinks for themselves.

It’s difficult to be in a job
That floats you from place to place
While you might enjoy the diversity
It’s hard to remember each new friends face
You finally settle in
Find a place that feels like home
Learn the names of all your co-workers
Begin to feel like you belong,
Then that small mat of security
Gets yanked beneath your feet;
Sorry son, we’re transferring you.
You leave in two more weeks.
Then once again you’re left in limbo
Filled with worry and distrust;
No one close that you can talk to
Part of the job, do what you must.
I know you wonder as you’re packing
Will you ever find a place to stay;
For that family you desire
Those children you want to raise.
And I can’t look into a crystal ball
And say you’ll find your dreams.
I can only encourage you to hope
and work toward that belief.
They say God works in mysterious ways
Sometimes I think that’s true;
Maybe she’s not in this town,
The one God has for you.
So maybe that’s why God keeps floating you
So you can have that special wish.
So remember when you’re struggling
To find where you belong;
All you have endured
Has only made you strong.
Remember when your days are stretched
To the edged of the twilight zone;
Call upon the friends you’ve left behind
Because you are no longer alone
     © 8/6/2003

I love to turn on PBS
And find Bob Ross
Painting a perfect picture.
I see strong bold mountains in the background;
Tall trees reaching the roof of the canvas,
And brilliant cascading waterfalls
Pounding against the rocks.
The roar of rushing water so loud
I can scarcely hear my heartbeat.
I can almost envision a hidden cavern
Behind the falls in the crevice of the rocks.
The pool of rushing white foam
Fans out into a liquid blue.
A small grove of wild berries
Grow along the bushes near the rocks.
Beautiful dogwoods of lavender and white
Spot across the meadow.
And a small beautiful weeping willow
Lets the edge of its branches
Float about the water.
It looks so beautiful and inviting,
So safe within the confines of the canvas.
And I’ve seen the absolutely awesome portraits
That God himself has created.
But I find myself weary
Of sticking my naked feet into the waters
Knowing that even in God’s beauty
Something might be slithering under the surface.
    
© 8/1/2003