Constant chronic pain
Days and nights become too long—
Asking for prayer
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Anticipation!
Walking this Lenten journey—
Seeking our Savior
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Rebuilding a path
Choosing love over hatred—
Jesus offers peace
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From Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
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Life tempting us with enticing shortcuts
Most of these never seem to bring success
Gods speaks honestly, always asking us
Did we burrow deeper, rather than guess?
Clever world flooding us with remedies
Formulas for a more successful life
Simple, surefire, easy to use, guaranteed
God’s formula, always true without strife
Never shy from following the Father
He doesn’t promise a road without bumps
God offers promises with blessed love
His way leading us forward, our hearts jump
Requiring patience, life’s a marathon
God remains our Rock, faithful and steadfast
His blessings fill our lives in countless ways
Our ship sails, with eternal hope amassed
Losing hope at times, seeking a quick fix
Encouragement and trust arrives from God
Offering us Grace, filled with peace and joy
Grateful, He accepts us, totally flawed
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From the words of Saint Teresa of Avila, “We ought to make some progress, however little, every day, and show some increase of fervor. We ought to act as if we were at war–as, indeed, we are–and never relax until we have won the victory.”
Imagine a world
As seen through a baby’s eyes—
Always innocent
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Leaving winter cold
Ice fishing and ice skating—
Ice avoiding . . . Beach!
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Early morning time
Fireplace blazes and welcomes—
Warming us with love
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Waking from my sleep on a dark, chilly day
Preparing for another early morning to play
Pulling on my warm jacket and stocking cap
Heading out the door without need of a map
Making this early morning journey once again
Walking down a street where many have been
Moving hurriedly while struggling with numbing, frigid air
Searching a pocket to discover my gloves are not a pair
Being discovered, a nervous rabbit hops away
Seeing me, he certainly doesn’t desire to play
Crossing the street, a black cat stares back
Slithering away, she doesn’t cross my path
Freezing my face, the frosty air feels bitterly cold
Hurrying along with a pace that is rapid and bold
From Galatians 1:15-16: “But when God, who has set me apart before I was born and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles.”
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Life will sometimes serve us trials
God asking for some elbow room
Always leaving room for the Lord
Delivering light over our gloom
Never be surprised when God comes
At His choosing, His will descends
Always leaving room for the Lord
His Spirit pays real dividends
Looking out for God’s faithful love
Expecting Him to come close by
Always leaving room for the Lord
Never certain of how, when, why
Following God’s Holy commands
He stands at center of our selves
Always leaving room for the Lord
Transforming lives, from cluttered shelves
Just as Jesus stuns vengeful Saul
On a darkened Damascus road
Always leaving room for the Lord
Knowing our way, will just implode
Any given time, God breaks in
He blesses us with His surprise
Always leaving room for the Lord
Following His plan, always wise
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From Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher, Oswald Chambers: “Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes.”
Living a free life
Crumbling fortune cookie breaks—
Turn to our Savior
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Living in darkness
Life’s journey shrouded in sin—
Jesus speaks to us
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Facing temptation
Stay in faithful alignment—
With our Lord Jesus
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This poem is inspired by a song which has been sung by many artists. Bobby Darin and later Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded their versions of “If I Were a Carpenter.” The song was written by Tim Hardin, and other artists have recorded and performed the song as well. Here is Bobby Darin’s version: “If I Were a Carpenter.”
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If I was a teacher
Bringing energy, passion, and patience
Transforming all into knowledge seekers
If I was a firefighter
Serving with unselfish duty and pride
Protecting all, making worries lighter
If I was an architect
Designing buildings for many uses
Looking ahead to challenging projects
If I was a farmer
Rising at dawn, working until sundown
Bringing a nation food, as God’s armor
If I was a nurse
Sharing with patient, compassionate care
Filling lives with hope, never for the worse
If I was a writer
Crafting words into stories and much more
Witnessing through eyes, open and brighter
If I was a musician
Creating good vibes through words and music
Bringing pleasure across generations
If I was a preacher
Instilling God’s Word with a church’s flock
Encouraged to be one of God’s teachers
If I was a soldier
Preserving peace and freedom in the world
Band of brothers, stand shoulder to shoulder
If I was a young tyke
Looking up to these inspiring adults
Growing up, each day feeling more alike
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From Psalm 23:1-3: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.”
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Walking lost in the still darkness of night
Realizing the Lord delivers His might
Knocking at the door of life, He arrives
Granting a safe place, helps us to survive
Finding lasting peace in His Holy verse
Quenching our parched thirst, like a caring nurse
Coming with righteousness, Christ our Shepherd
Refueling us today, always treasured
Re-energizing empty hearts and souls
Blowing away blackest clouds, God controls
Lighting our way, God’s eternal love shines
Breathing His Word, offering faithful signs
Facing life’s challenges, Christ walks with us
Giving Grace, His way never brings a fuss
Guiding us to the Promised Land, Christ leads
Saving us from sin, from a Cross which bleeds
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Pausing to listen
Forget teaching to the test—
Showing compassion
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Morning sun rises
Another wonderful day—
Feeling peace and joy
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Coffeeology!
Studying behind each cup—
Life stirs with each sip
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An early morning wind blows glacial-like air on this day
One final match these soccer boys have come to play
An adamant, northwest onslaught delivers an icy, Arctic blast
Will the team harness enough stamina and energy to last?
Players dressed warmly in layers, gloves, and stocking hats
In their final match, they look ready to conquer this and that
Looking more like Eskimos, parents and families huddle near
Hoping to see the resilient boys score goals without any fear
The spectators cheer the boys to play hard and to be bold
But they agonize and confirm—“Oh my, it’s way too cold!”
Sheltered beneath layers of blankets, the crowd surveys the field
The opposing team advances the ball, but the boys form a shield
No goals will be scored against them on this day
The boys’ defense hustles and continues to play
Halftime arrives with the team playing tough
Will the season end well in weather so rough?
The second half continues under adverse conditions
The team finishes with a season filled with tradition
While the rest of the players hustle to stay warm
The talented goalie stands all alone as ice forms
A woman’s hot coffee has transformed into cold slush
She clasps tightly to a heavy blanket, deep and plush
The match marches to its finish with winter as its final foe
Frozen spectators ask, “How many minutes are left to go?”
Icy faces, shivering bodies, and numb fingers
Plus ice blocks for feet—all continue to linger
Spirited boys ignore cold and continue to play
Their five goals will deliver last and final say
At match’s end, players and families hurry to their warm cars
All wondering how they survived the cold and made it this far
For two grandparents who were amazingly fearless and bold
Tomorrow morning, will be glad there is no soccer in the cold
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This season-ending soccer match was played in November, 2018, by one of my grandsons. The wind chill temperature was 10 degrees Fahrenheit. He and his teammates completed a remarkable season with an unblemished record.
