Man joined with woman
Sharing love throughout each day—
Breath of daily grace
Sun rises each morn
Togetherness in spirit—
Forever in love
Love’s eternal flame
Burning by day as well as night—
Lifetime’s treasured gift
Faith’s
Divine garden
Seeded without weeds
Nourished with Living Water
Maturity
Hope’s
Fertile soil
Cultivated with grace
Sunrise offers endless bounty
Harvest
Joy’s
Fruitful journey
Sustained with love
Sown with trusted hands
Gratitude
Jesus must become the heart of my heart, the fire of my life, the love of my soul, the bridegroom of my spirit.
From Ephesians 3:16-17: “I pray that, according to the riches of His glory, He may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
Empathy, a parent’s ability to understand what a child is feeling, is an important and valuable ingredient of child rearing.
It is said that nature always sides with the hidden flaw. Teachers have the opposite role; to side with the hidden asset, to minimize a child’s deficiencies, intensify his experience, and enlarge his life.
Haim Ginott (1922-1973) was an Israeli-born school teacher and child psychologist. He pioneered techniques about how to converse with children.
From John 15:10-11: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Rejoicing with Father
Peace quiets every storm
Joy’s spirit transforms heart
Nurturing, always warm
Learning from Father’s Word
Faith nourished, always trust
Joy sails on eagle’s wings
Bringing light, always just
Receiving Father’s grace
Precious gift of each day
Joy cascades from His love
Rising sun, never gray
Walking in Father’s steps
Hope breathes with every stride
Joy’s anticipation
Filling outlook with pride
Kneeling at Father’s feet
Gratitude sweeps ashore
Joy flowing with gladness
Entering Heaven’s door
From the words of American evangelist, Bill Bright: “The joy of God is experienced as I love, trust, and obey God.”
We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, patience creates unity.
You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be a peace unless he has his freedom.
Malcolm X (1925-1965) was an American human rights activist.
Morning’s gifted sunrise
Destiny of new day
Creator’s journey
Balance in life’s ballet
Nature’s comforting hand
Nurturing, rhythmic pace
Creator’s presence
Everything in its place
Seasons change, one by one
Yet, harmony remains
Creator’s patience
Trust in heavenly reign
River’s endless spirit
Mountains standing above
Creator’s landscape
Treasured delights of love
Every generation
Unique in its domain
Creator’s splendor
Lifetime of sweetest grain
Gentle breeze turns life’s page
Tenderness breathes from heart
Creator’s passion
Setting sun now departs
From Galatians 5:22-25: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
Seeing mankind standing along the road
Bearing heavy burdens, life’s overload
Stopping to say, travel the other way
Sharing some kindness, from our Lord today
Shining Jesus’ light, for all to follow
Hearing His Word, rich wisdom to swallow
Overlooking life’s narrow-minded walk
Sharing some kindness, truth becomes our rock
Lending helping hands, sisters and brothers
Showering daily grace, like none other
Forsaking life’s blindness, opening eyes
Sharing some kindness, never in disguise
Helping others who travel beside us
Inviting them, catching rides on God’s bus
Loving with patience, goodwill overflows
Sharing some kindness, warming hearts aglow
Recalling Christ’s call, handing out His love
Sharing His mercy, planted from above
Paying it forward, kindness shared each day
Harvesting endless treasures from God’s way
This poem is inspired by singer Glen Campbell’s classic tune, “Try a Little Kindness.” Here is one of his renditions of this remarkable song. Pay it forward, show the world some kindness.
Originally published December, 2020.
Confident
Embracing peace
Transcended through Christ
Gathered in His love
Courageous
Compassion
Accepting grace
Nourished through Christ
Assured of His spirit
Undeniable
Trust
Fulfilling light
Saved through Christ
Transformed by His hope
Everlasting
From Ephesians 4:31-32: “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
Faith filled with truth from Father
Anger rests with setting sun
Leaving quicksand’s bitterness
Forgiven through mercy’s Son
Eyes upon Calvary’s cross
Ultimate action of grace
Forgiven through Savior’s blood
His love takes sin’s former place
We, too, are called to forgive
Ourselves as well as others
Casting aside emotions
Now loving one another
Holding back words of darkness
Kindness leads each blessed day
Forgiving as Christ forgives
Holy Spirit leads faith’s way
Walking in shadow of grace
Forgiveness mends one more heart
Embracing love’s character
Trust in hope’s renewing start
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Max Lucado: “Bitterness is the trap that snares the hunter.”
