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God has given us a purpose for our existence, a reason to go on, even though that existence includes tough times.
From Psalm 107:19: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.”
This poem is a sister poem which has been written as a follow-up to a previous poem “Destined for Nowhere.” If you haven’t read this poem yet, you may want to read it before viewing this poem.
From Isaiah 9:6: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
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Standing in the middle of “Nowhere”
Why should we even bother to care?
God answers, showing His Holy plan
Coming to earth, as the Son of Man
Bringing hope to a broken, darkened world
God’s love brings light, forever unfurled
Angels praise this Holy promise, yet to come
Christ promises life, no longer feeling numb
There is a new King in town, follow Him
His will defeats the Enemy, and our sin
Dust yourself off, bending a knee, and pray
God, the Father, loves us with plenty to say
From a cruel Cross, Jesus sheds blood for all
Forgiving our eternity of debts, is His call
Our Almighty Creator delivers His commands
Now come to taste His love, forever it stands
Christ offers the only path to Salvation
Remold our lives, flooded with stagnation
Believe Jesus, accept the Christ, follow Him
Step forward, forever freed from our sins
Through the Messiah, comes a risen taste
Destined for triumph, no longer disgraced
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You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.
From James 1:19: “You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
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Life seems to intercept my best plans
Always leaving me with empty hands
Been knocked down more times than most
Perhaps, I should migrate toward the coast
Yet, I still survive most days, somehow
Rising again from the bloody canvas—Pow!
Standing alone, a battered warrior of one
Others followed promises to a faded sun
Every day delivers a fresh, new battle
Each minute of every hour, embattled
Trying to stand taller for a view
No time to rest, until I’m through
Life serves up more lessons to inhale
Ocean’s tides never wait for a gale
In my youth, destined for great fame
My dreams shattered, life now so lame
Standing in the middle of “Nowhere”
Why should I even bother to care?
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You can’t be envious and happy at the same time.
From Proverbs 14:30: “A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but passion makes the bones rot.”
Riding my Harley
Opening the throttle wide—
Where’s Easy Rider?
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Peace around the world
Church bells proclaiming His joy—
Wars gone forever
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We need each other
Standing in community—
Never sail alone
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Often our lives are strangled by things that don’t ultimately matter.
From Psalm 119:165: “Great peace have those who love Your law; nothing will make them stumble.”
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The elderly man’s final strength turns to run
His long, full life now enters its final sunset
Recalling the good times, craving a bit more
“Five more minutes” before the setting sun
Swapping one more story, with my dear Dad
His role in life, serving as my own launch pad
Listening to Neil Diamond, singing one more song
He conveys my love for “America”—forever strong
Taking extra time to say, “I sincerely apologize”
For actions which turned out bad, not very wise
Please God, just five more minutes . . .
Fishing the Madison River, time for one more cast
Herb standing ready, with a memory from the past
Experiencing one more awe-inspiring sunrise
One only God can create, His lasting surprise
Sharing a moment, with a special great-grandchild
Before falling back to sleep, she winks and smiles
Please God, just five more minutes . . .
Witnessing fresh, fallen snow—pristine white
Pine trees show off under moon’s bright light
Stepping into a high school classroom once more
Taking notes from the elite of the teaching corps
Witnessing a Big Montana Sky, fetches a smile
Please allow me to see, at least one more mile
Please God, just five more minutes . . .
Traveling to a place, never seen before
Anxious to view, what’s really in store?
Sharing with my bride, “I love you” one more time
Enduring heartbeats and affection, forever rhyme
Asking my Heavenly Father, for forgiveness
My risen Lord and Savior, being my witness
Thank you God for these five more minutes!
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We have a God who delights in impossibilities.
From Ephesians 1:18-19: “So that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power for us who believe, according to the working of His great power.”
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Wednesday morning broadcasts the arrival of another breakfast meeting for Billy and his other retired friends. Once a week, he meets his five best buds for hot coffee, delicious food, and welcome conversation at Bob’s Diner.
He always wears his favorite plaid, flannel shirt (perhaps you recall Al Borland from “Tool Time”). His faded, tractor green “John Deere” cap covers his nearly bald head, but his smile always catches his favorite server’s attention.
Flo has been working for the diner ever since Mel’s Diner closed (you might remember Mel and Alice—they became quite an item). She holds her own with humor and a smile, always managing to take care of Billy and his pals every Wednesday morning.
As Flo is scurrying around the diner with her always full coffee pot, she sets it down near Billy’s table as she takes another order. Billy appropriates the full pot of freshly brewed refills for his own private use, and sets it right next to his nearly empty cup. He tells Flo, “Thanks my dear. Now you won’t need to worry about refilling my cup.”
Billy remarks to his friends, “Ain’t life great!”
Billy enjoys his coffee, probably too much. The manager takes a look and shakes his head . . . as his profits shrink with every coffee pot Billy drinks. He motions Flo to come over for a moment, and they share a quick word.
Flo formulates a plan to take care of Billy’s endless and bottomless coffee drinking.
By the end of the breakfast meeting, the gray-haired trio times two has solved just about all of the world’s problems for another week. Billy has nearly eaten a whole hog as he has devoured crispy bacon, honey-baked ham, and perfectly browned sausage links, along with the usual fixings of hash browns, eggs, and pancakes. It’s time for the check please.
Billy surveys his bill, and his smile stretches to a frown. Reading on, he sees that he has been charged for a whole pot of coffee. He thinks to himself, “What’s this?”
Billy’s check has a special note at the bottom, “Cheaper to drink coffee by the cup instead of by the pot!”
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Big Sky Buckeye 