James Dobson Quote

white ceramic mug beside book

Photo by Surene Palvie on Pexels.com

The only true source of meaning in life is found in loving family.  Today and every day, let me show my family that I love them by the things that I say and the things that I do.

From Joshua 24:15:  “Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Love’s Destiny

white united airlines plane

Photo by Pascal Renet on Pexels.com

Waking up early on a cold December day

Love fills a man’s heart with much to say

Driving for hours down a solitary highway

Love travels along in an encouraging way

 

Discovering ways, over the months, of staying close

Love opens up ways to correspond, making the most

Sending beautiful notes, cards, emails, and more

Love delivers its delightful words—ready to soar

Receiving a call at pre-arranged times

Love melts the distance, always fine

 

Pulling into the Bismarck airport, ticket in hand

Love boards an airplane, heading to a new land

Flying east through endless, friendly skies

Love reminisces with a smile, as time flies

Transferring to one more flight, halfway there

Love paints with color, adding magic and flair

 

Landing in Columbus, awakens anxious emotion

Love lights up, presenting its passionate devotion

Waiting for luggage, eyes intently searching wide

Love waits for a woman to appear from the side

Meeting at long last, up close and personal today

Love radiates between two souls, with lots to say

 

Loving each other, despite the great distance

Love creates a spark, more than an instance

Witnessing love through God’s guiding hands

Love finds a way to a pair of wedding bands

pexels-photo-916344-1.jpeg

Photo by Irina Iriser on Pexels.com

This story is true.  The love expressed between two people conquered the miles between Ohio and Montana.  Now you know the rest of the story.  My bride and I recently celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. 

Grandpa’s Doughnuts

adult beard black black and white

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

Grandpa snuck away from Grandma one morning.  She was busy with her quilting, and he felt an urge to satisfy his sweet tooth.

Just down the street, a little doughnut shop waited with the hottest coffee and the most treasured, sweet creations ever made.  Without Grandma nearby to fuss at him, he could enjoy coffee, doughnuts, and some conversation with whomever dropped by the shop.

He orders the usual:  coffee with his two favorite doughnuts.  Boston-cream and maple-covered long john, each looks mouth-watering and delicious.

Behind him, the shop’s door opens, and two little children bust in with giggles and way too much energy.

“Grandpa, Grandpa!”  His grandchildren, Ben and Lydia, just happen to discover where Grandpa is hiding out.

A moment later, Grandpa is enjoying coffee, spending time with two very special children, and sharing his doughnuts.

There will be another time for enjoying doughnuts, but loving Lydia and Ben . . . Precious!

 

Haiku Series #10

midsection of woman making heart shape with hands

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Love Is . . .

Lasting promises

Always unconditional—

Till death do us part

 

planet earth

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Stewardship

Stabilize our earth

Honor God’s great creation—

Denial no more

 

white book beside white mug

Photo by Ekrulila on Pexels.com

Motivation

Needing to write more

Reaching for novel ideas—

Keep the coffee hot

 

If you are in the mood for another Haiku series, check out a previously published set at Haiku Series 9.

Across the Street

photo of house during daytime

Photo by Milly Eaton on Pexels.com

My retirement years usually produce a smile

But some days sink my spirits deep, by miles

My childhood sweetheart and lovely bride

Now rests with God, absent from my side

I stay occupied with my yard each morn

Discovering pleasure from nature’s form

 

There is a fine lady across the street

She emerges looking nice and sweet

She stays active around her place

Her yard definitely fits her tastes

The grass is mowed and trimmed

I wonder how she stays so thin

 

There seems, between us

A subliminal connection

Inviting her for coffee

Is my dreamy confession

 

Her petunias appear superior to mine

Perhaps I’ll ask for her secret, in time       

She smiles when my puppy is outside to play

I wonder what her plans will be for this day

I imagine what she might think about me

Watching me hang a bird feeder in a tree

 

There seems, between us

A subliminal connection

Inviting her for coffee

Is my dreamy confession

 

We both come from the same generation

Her beauty creates a wonderful sensation

I’m thinking of walking across the street

Meeting this fine lady would be a treat

She steps back inside from the dry, summer heat

Perhaps tomorrow morning, we can finally meet

My Grandfather lost his childhood sweetheart and bride, but believe it or not, he found love again . . . across the street!

This real-life experience, along with Jen Goldie’s story about “The Man Across the Street”, inspired the writing of this poem.  Visit Jen’s very creative story with the link shown below.

The Man Across The Street — Jen Goldie – A little this, a little that, some real and some imaginings.

Sweetest Love

stack of love wooden blocks

Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

Love springs eternal in many, beautiful forms

Helping to ease some of life’s angry storms

 

A mother focuses on her handsome new boy

Rocking him fast to sleep, she’s filled with joy

 

A teacher reaches out to his unsettled class today

Filling the room with learning, discovering a way

 

A nervous man asks a pretty woman for a date

Dreaming, could marriage be their future fate?

 

A son calls upon his ailing mother quite often

Bringing love that helps her illness to soften

 

A mature couple capturing romance from afar

Tying ribbons of love, reaching heaven’s stars

 

A young girl eagerly waits by the window all day

Jumping into her father’s lap with much to say

 

A caring wife prepares a meal by candlelight

Inspiring a time of love with her man tonight

 

A family cherishes togetherness for all

Adding gentle love that will never fall

 

A romantic husband brings flowers to his bride

Adding fragrance and beauty, their love amplified

 

A young couple ties marriage’s knot with “We do”

Cherishing their love, feeling deeply rich and true

 

God sends His Son, offering His greatest gift

Washing away our sins, lives no longer adrift

 

 

 

 

How is love defined?

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

 

Love is a game that two can play and both win.

Eva Gabor

 

Love is the subtlest force in the world.

Mohandas Gandhi

 

Love is the essence of God.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.

Robert Frost

 

Inasmuch as love grows in you, so beauty grows.  For love is the beauty of the soul.

Saint Augustine

 

Life is the flower of which love is the honey.

Victor Hugo

 

bright cardiac cardiology care

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

 

Nourishing Love

blade blur bright close up

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

A beautiful garden planted in the spring with great love

Flowers and vegetables blessed with peace from above

Every detail carefully planned and tenderly done

All this fertile soil needs now is water and sun

The first few weeks bring excitement and growth

Green buds and a bit of color are amazing both

One week goes by without any tender loving care

The young, immature plants now seem a bit scared

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

Another week passes along without feeling a human hand

The fragile plants begin a slow march back to the land

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

A third week arrives with unhappiness and despair

The once promising garden can’t surely be repaired

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

From high above comes His promise to bring rain

Soon a gentle, nourishing mist reduces the pain

Humans need to be fed from above by Him

We must ask Him gently like singing a hymn

Without loving care, the garden and people will perish

The Lord adores all of His creation with love to cherish

 

Let us never, ever wonder and say . . .

 

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

 

To have little faith isn’t part of our day!

Cherish the Love

photo of vintage stationery

Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

Cherish the beautiful love that God has given you

His love is freely given to all without paying dues

 

Cherish the love in your life every single day

It is God’s way of showing you the best way

 

Cherish each wonderful day as it sends a precious gift

God never intends to forget you, nor leave you adrift

 

Cherish family for it brings abundant happiness

God brings His Word to help soften our sadness

 

Cherish life’s simple things as they are treasures

God offers Grace regardless of how we measure

 

Cherish a healthy relationship with God each day

He will always show you the right and proper way

 

Cherish the ultimate and unselfish love God delivers to all

His son pays for sins when we accept His passionate call

For an additional reading, go to Psalm 23.