Monday Memories: Then Came Light

woman stands on mountain over field under cloudy sky at sunrise

Photo by Victor Freitas on Pexels.com

To a formless world, shrouded in whole darkness

God brought forth light to remove the harshness

 

To a dark, foreboding room with no shape

Candles illuminate our morning landscape

 

From a barren, lifeless pine or Douglas fir tree

Christmas brings lights, and makes us feel free

 

To a cold, hostile land without any light at night

Early man learns of fire, to warm and offer sight

 

To a student, who feels frustrated in a lesson so dark

A teacher brings patience, and a smile offers a spark

 

To a darkened, isolated highway on a night with no moon

Bright headlights point us safely towards home very soon

 

To a world seeking guidance and a fresh start

Lady Liberty’s welcoming torch, sets her apart

 

To a frightened child, waking up in darkness of the night

Parents bringing a beam of light, to take away his fright

 

To a middle-aged adult, stricken with eyesight very poor

A doctor’s skill removes a cataract, so she can see more

 

To an empty and humbling manger, in a crowded stable

A bright star over Bethlehem, showing what is now able

 

To heal the broken, lost life of a desperate man

God offering a sustaining and hope-filling plan

person spreading hands against sun

Photo by Victor Freitas on Pexels.com

One on One

From American theologian, Fulton J. Sheen:  “God does not love us because we are valuable.  We are valuable because God loves us.”

white paper with red text

Photo by Castorly Stock on Pexels.com

God’s eternal love seeks

Intimate relationships

No longer standing back

Feeling love as He speaks

 

Our Lord loves each of us

Stepping forward with faith

Accepting His sincere truth

Our God, never to mistrust

 

When darker times arrive

Opening hearts to our Lord

Never to feel forsaken

Trusting, abiding, alive

 

Our Father always cares

Hearing faithful prayers

Watching trusting steps

Feeling moments of despair

 

Flowing from Heaven above

To a stable’s manger

Witnessing from a cruel Cross

God’s Grace delivers His love

backlit cemetery christianity clouds

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

From John 15:8-9:  “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples.  As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; abide in My love.  

Haiku Series #66 (Life)

Daily Changes

Coronavirus

Learning to adapt each day—

World paradigm shift

blue banner sign posters

Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com

 

Experience Counts

Cleaning and cooking

Being a baby boomer—

Fatherhood training

cleaning supplies

Photo by La Miko on Pexels.com

 

Not Now

Muddy, rain-soaked road

Destination now delayed—

Changing a flat tire

shadow of person on water during daytime

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

Redeeming Spirit

From Isaiah 12:2:  “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.”

person standing on rock formation near body of water during night time

Photo by Kehn Hermano on Pexels.com

To a world filling with harsh darkness

Our Heavenly Father wakens trust

God’s love conquers, crushing this starkness

Sending our Redeemer, always just

 

Jesus, the Messiah, walks the land

His Spirit deepens our mind and soul

We experience God, close at hand

Blood shed on a Cross, paying our toll

 

With every footprint Jesus makes

Walking forward, His bright light beckons

We follow with faith, make no mistake

Through our adversity, faith checks in

 

Enemy lurks, bringing temptation

Walking with Jesus, freed like a bird

In alignment with Him . . . Salvation!

Faithful “doers” of God’s Holy Word

selective photography of flying black falcon

Photo by Nigam Machchhar on Pexels.com

From Psalm 3:3-4:  “But you, O Lord are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.  I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His Holy hill.”

Quietness Speaks

I took a recent neighborhood walk, and the surroundings were definitely not the norm.  Quiet streets and hardly anyone outside on a gloomy, spring afternoon.  I crossed a busy road, without the usual volume of traffic.  The entire experience brought many thoughts to mind, some of which found their way into this poem.

grayscale photography of waiting shed near open road at night

Photo by Alexander Kovalev on Pexels.com

Morning rush traffic, missing in action

Downtown streets resemble empty ghost towns

All of this, most unusual for many

Life experiencing major breakdowns

 

Atmosphere of dark, winter gloom arrives

Quiet neighborhood lanes, filled with stillness

Sheltered-in-place covers the entire land

Fear and panic, with visions of illness

 

Households, overflowing with family

Quite unique for a midweek afternoon

Only essential employees at work

Life differs from a “Charlie Brown” cartoon

 

Spring’s portraits and sounds, arriving on schedule

Trees bud out, grass turning green, robins sing

God’s creation reminds us, He is near

His steadfast, faithful hope shall always ring

young grain

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

From Lamentations 3:21-23:  “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Life Looks Back

man in green jacket

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Dusty top of the kitchen fridge

No worries about cleaning

Unless . . .

Taller guests come to play bridge

 

Windshield wipers, broken and worn

Needing to be replaced

But never . . .

Attempt when rain becomes airborne

 

Congested and overmatched table

Keeping life healthy and in order

Looking like . . .

Walgreens, filled with pill labels

 

Remembering school days past

Time to take another test

Pausing . . .

Hoping the “ditto” smell will last

 

Self-driving cars, soon to be the craze

Sitting in one, with perplexed look

Pondering . . .

Will the back seat driver be unfazed?

 

Raiding the freezer for a midnight snack

Hunger disrupts blissful sleep

What’s this . . .

Cookie Dough ice cream has been hijacked

 

Installing a terrific app on her “hip” phone

Grandson helps his Grandma out

Meanwhile . . .

With his flip phone, Grandpa feels quite alone

 

Finding a parking spot is tonight’s mission

Free valet parking

Guaranteed . . .

When you drive a manual transmission

 

So many toilet paper choices and sizes

What ever happened to having just one?

Confusing . . .

Mega and Super Mega waiting in disguise

 

Enjoying a late night film on television

Fearful of falling asleep

Always prepared . . .

Setting an alarm, allows for night vision

 

Reading and proofreading, reading once more

Retired English teacher

Never satisfied . . .

Writing a “perfect” text with words to adore

 

If you have enjoyed this bit of fun

Wait for the next round

When . . .

Doughnuts and coffee for everyone

doughnut on white ceramic plate beside ceramic mug on brown wooden table

Photo by Alfredo Alvarado on Pexels.com

 

 

Haiku Series #65 (With God)

Life’s Trials

Crushing deep waters

Pressing in on life again—

Requires deeper faith

painting of a person swimming underwater

Photo by Evelyn Chong on Pexels.com

 

Reassurance

Compassionate God

Brings comfort to our troubles—

Praise-filling blessings

love your life clipboard decor

Photo by Natasha Fernandez on Pexels.com

 

Savior’s Light

Confusion employs

Filling our lives with darkness—

Jesus’ light blesses

white concrete spiral staircase

Photo by Mitchell Luo on Pexels.com

Monday Memories: Poet’s Last Wish

white ceramic teacup with saucer near two books above gray floral textile

Photo by Thought Catalog on Pexels.com

Sitting alone at my trusty writing table once again

Wondering where the creative images have been

 

Touching the early morning peace and stillness

Writing with inspiring words, filled with richness

 

Crafting poetry, a pleasing journey to thrill

Seeking new ideas for a blank sheet to fill

 

Smiling as my loyal pen walks with haste

Hoping these words provide a rich taste

 

Dreaming of writing a poem that’s a big hit

Understanding that many will be left adrift

 

Pausing to think of outstanding poetry awards

Knowing that finishing may be my only reward

 

Finding more ambition from the morning light

Feeling my mind beginning to take long flight

 

Adding to a poem line by thoughtful line

Relishing the energy my words will find

 

Nearing the end of my writing journey, years from now

Looking back at my poetry, and taking a last, final bow

 

Realizing that long after I have left and been gone

Appreciating others reading my words, like a song

white cup on saucer

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

 

Love’s Precious Gift

adult birthday birthday gift box

Photo by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels.com

Seeking hope through faith

But, love must come first

“Love one another”

Now, empty hearts burst

 

God represents love

A most precious gift

Follow His commands

Love provides a lift

 

Distribute our love

Family, friends, strangers

Follow Christ’s accord

Makes a life changer

 

Sowing seeds of love

Jesus brings blessings

Daily nurturing

Keeps love from guessing

 

Treasure love from Christ

Love blossoms into more

Faithfulness growing

Raising lives to soar

 

Loving our Savior

His blood stains a Cross

Bringing Salvation

To earth, dark and lost

 

This most cherished gift

By God’s Grace given

Sisters and brothers

Being forgiven

 

Holy Commandments

Obeying with love

Loving our neighbors

Pleasing Christ, high above

 

From Matthew 22:36-40:  “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?  He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord our God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it:  ‘You shall love your neighbors as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

 

stack of love wooden blocks

Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

 

 

Through Another Lens

Photo by lil artsy on Pexels.com

Waking up early on a darkened, rainy day

Unable to walk, disrupting my morn with gray

 

Turning off the news, craving a necessary break

Immersing in other blogs, with their unique take

 

Sharing thoughtful comments, here and there

Always reminded, so many people truly care

 

This stubborn mind stores much, obsolete clutter

Causing my mature engine to cough and sputter

 

Life’s music sometimes offers a stimulating tune

Witnessing other perspectives, into an afternoon

 

Discovering positive discussions, comforting my mind

Challenging me to see, steps lead to future grace to find

 

Life’s lens sometimes fails, entirely clouded over

Like searching for a four-leaf, in a field of clover

 

As a culture, broadcasting anew from many landscapes

Exchanging ideas, opening our lens to exciting escapes

 

Our Lord, fashioning in us a curious intellect to wear

Stepping out, witnessing life as others wish to share

 

Reading God’s Word, helping to clear the murky view

Seeing life through His lens, aligning honest and true

 

Photo by Ethan Sees on Pexels.com