Respite from winter
Digging into Mother Earth—
Spring planting on deck
Dancing with nature
Waiting to plant spring’s garden—
Following her lead
Eager to plant now
Oops, garden struck by frostbite—
Better to sit tight
This free-verse poem was originally published in June, 2019. While the theme is filled with humor, between the lines one can read about the endless duties of a mother. In this case, she is busy during a summer’s break from the school year routines. This repost is dedicated to all mothers for a job well done!
Summer finally arrives
Breaking from school routines
Children eager, excited, hyper-filled, energized
When does Mom get to take a break?
Chauffeuring children everywhere
Swimming lessons, sports camps
Gas tank never seems full
When does Mom ever get to run to a special place?
Thunderstorms pop up
Bringing their usual culprits
Rain, wind, hail, lightning, thunder
How did Mom’s new umbrella end up in the yard?
Enjoyable family gatherings
Long picnics, games aplenty
Lots of tasty food prepared
But Mom—why are we picking up a bucket at KFC?
Travel plans made
Laundry, packing, laundry, repacking
Mom still must be “Mom”
When does Mom get to enjoy “her” vacation?
School arrives again
Summer finally over—finally!
Bus leaves with the kiddos
Why does Mom hit the snooze again?
From Proverbs 21:2: “All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.”
World around us
Views outer selves
Not always true
God sees ourselves
Examines hearts
What’s false, what’s true
Peeling away
Each beating clue
Colleagues at work
Neighbors and friends
Hold opinions
Not through God’s lens
God’s view prevails
Noting actions
Mindful of thoughts
Weighs each fraction
Most important
True motives say
Pure intentions
Every day
From the words of American Christian author, John Eldredge: “If the narrative of the Scriptures teaches us anything, from the serpent in the Garden to the carpenter in Nazareth, it teaches us that things are rarely what they seem, that we shouldn’t be fooled by appearances.”
Morning arrives before sunrise
Blessed calmness comforts life’s soul
Taking time to honor Father
His Word filling today’s payroll
Morning stillness quiets life’s heart
Time for prayer-filled reflection
Hot coffee and conversation
Blessing now Father’s connection
Morning always starting like this
Creature of life’s daily routine
Sharing special moments with Him
Just with Father, our special scene
Morning time ending much too fast
Father’s presence felt all day long
Confident and ready for more
Holding tight to His faithful song
Morning will return, always does
Looking forward to precious times
Father’s Spirit, life’s alarm clock
Moments filled with heavenly rhymes
This poem is inspired by my daily morning time in prayer and study with God’s Word. This special time with my Heavenly Father has become more and more intertwined into my daily fabric.
Observing
God’s blessings
Universe He crafts
Order, balance, lasting beauty
Creation
Witnessing
God’s expectations
Upgrading our actions
Life’s inner alarm system
Conscience
Reading
God’s Word
True, grace-filled knowledge
Linking faith with hope
Scripture
From Psalm 119:97-98: “Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me.”
Eternal Lord in Heaven
Our faithfulness flows from Him
God’s Word pilots creation
Through time’s ages, never dim
Evil prowling in darkness
Waiting to maim and uproot
God’s love, lasting protection
His grace lighting life’s new route
Accepting God’s Holy law
Life filling with His delight
Marching with our conviction
Saved from misery’s dark night
Reading daily from Scripture
In His Word, Lord shall converse
Living with Father’s wisdom
Love every single verse
Father’s Word always teaches
Guiding life’s faithful mindset
Lives led by His commandments
Follow now, never forget
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “We need godly knowledge and principles to guide us, which is why we must make meditation on the Word a daily habit.”
From Psalm 98:5-6: “Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.”
With joy, singing life’s new song
Lifting up voices, filled with praise
Hailing Father’s steadfast love
Let our eyes to Heaven gaze
Our Lord does marvelous things
Victorious in His deeds
Judging world with righteousness
Tirelessly His Spirit leads
Earth’s faithful hearts shall rejoice
Accepting His love and grace
Forever praise God’s presence
Darkness, never will we chase
Ageless joy recites God’s Word
Life’s solid foothold responds
Promises backed up by trust
Faith, hope, love form lasting bonds
Guide every daily step
Reigning from Heaven above
With Son and Holy Spirit
From God comes lasting love
From Psalm 98:7-8: “Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy.”
Holy Spirit breathes
Navigating Christian faith—
Feeling His presence
Saved through Christ Jesus
According to His Spirit—
Transforming new life
Children led by God
Tasting adoption’s Spirit
Heirs of Lord and Christ
Proud of my memory with its endless perfection
My impeccable recall never needs any correction
As a small child from many years ago
My memories remain vivid, this I know
My family stands astonished and amazed
While my data files work through a maze
I remember many, many things from my past
Hoping that these remarkable powers will last
Many beautiful memories organized to be found
I am thrilled by a brain that is sharp and sound
Sometimes my mind feels like an encyclopedia
Please don’t ever challenge me with Wikipedia
God has blessed me with an awesome mind
As for my car keys . . . please help me find?
From Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Burdened with sin-filling guilt
Questions about salvation
Worn down, feeling overwhelmed
Life struggling with temptation
Surrounded by sin’s gloom and doom
Meager actions not enough
Salvation ignores life’s works
Grace shining through evil’s bluff
Remember God’s faithful truths
Choosing us, always with us
Spirit marks each with new life
His love, hope’s guaranteed plus
Father’s Word holding us fast
Always our righteous anchor
Steadies weary, stumbling steps
Answers doubts, quiets rancor
Jesus pays our debts in full
Forgiven, transformed, renewed
According to His mercy
Taking our place, flesh subdued
From Titus 3:4-5: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Big Sky Buckeye 