Winter’s Arctic Grip

man in brown parka jacket walking beside woman in maroon coat

Photo by Immortal shots on Pexels.com

Bone-chilling winds turn life upside down today

Delivering frigid, Arctic storms to every town

Thickening ice, spreading across the lake’s bay

People running straight into gusts, heads down

 

Wind chimes endlessly sing a winter-filled blast

Watching the thermometer effortlessly dive

Wondering, how long will this deep freeze last?

Somehow, everyone remains warm and thrives

 

The townsfolk cope, accepting winter’s greed

Facing long, harsh winters, most every year

Helping others to survive, when one’s in need

Winter’s severity never brings about fear

 

Finally one day, the wind changes its sound

Pitching warmer air, by way of a chinook

Lightening the load for everyone around

Smiles arrive, from every cranny and nook

 

Spring will soon send out her welcoming band

Replacing life’s burdens, with warmer wishes

Surviving winter’s struggles across the land

Winter to spring, life crosses familiar bridges

man standing on riverbank

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Running With Perseverance

The text for this poem is based upon God’s Word as well as a recent sermon message given at New Life Church, Gahanna, Ohio.

photo of people running beside parked vehicles

Photo by RUN 4 FFWPU on Pexels.com

From Hebrews 12:1-3

 

Let us throw off everything

Hindering sin, which easily entangles

 

Running life’s race with perseverance

Fixing faith’s eyes on Christ

 

He endures Calvary’s Cross

Defeating sin’s darkness and shame

 

Now sitting at God’s side

Bringing hope to lost hearts

 

The Message

 

Life’s treadmill defines our race

Running with God’s steady faith

 

Life’s marathon, hard and long

Facing emotional ups and downs

 

God sends His encouraging words

Overcoming defeat, distress, and despair

 

Trusting in Jesus, keep running

With perseverance, to the end

 

Jesus endures His own journey

Running to “our” bloody Cross

 

Following always Jesus’ faithful example

Showing us perseverance and trust

 

Young David ignores Goliath’s size

Focusing on faith in God

 

Christ faces the impossible

Yet, His journey will succeed

 

Jesus surrenders to God’s plan

Faithfully carrying our burdens

 

We all suffer sin’s consequences

Christ comes, guarding our hearts

 

Withstanding life’s harsh body blows

In this fallen, broken world

 

Take Action

 

Trusting God, eyes on Jesus

Focusing on Christ, remain obedient

 

Replacing life’s empty, negative notions

Knowing Jesus as our Savior!

 

cross-sunset-sunrise-hill-70847.jpeg

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Never Forsaken

man sitting on edge facing sunset

Photo by Abhiram Prakash on Pexels.com

Life feels upside down

Angry with fists clenched

Barking back at God

You have forsaken me

 

Please, please my Lord

Don’t push me away

Heart fills with courage

Waiting for my God

 

Look around to witness

Patience comes to many

Those immersed in faith

Righteous saints never forsaken

 

God asks for perseverance

More to one’s life

Than just plain enduring

Bring me staying power

 

God is my stronghold

In times of distress

For those seeking him

God will never forsake

 

God always walks ahead

He was with Moses

He’ll be with you

Never to forsake you

 

Ask for God’s protection

Through faithful, fervent prayer

God’s justice will return

Never, ever be forsaken

 

Open hands, open arms

Looking up toward God

Submitting to my Lord

Never to be forsaken

afterglow backlit beautiful crescent moon

Photo by luizclas on Pexels.com

 

 

 

 

Perseverance

close up of human hand

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Perseverance is her nickname

Tenacity ignites her flame

A young gymnast spends hours sharpening her skills

Improving a challenging routine stirs up a giant thrill

Her practices have been going well thus far

Showing tireless energy to conquer the bars

Recent meets have brought a challenge her way

Missing the giant on the uneven bars both days

Perseverance is her nickname

Tenacity ignites her flame

This Level 7 gymnast travels to her next meet

Hoping the Warrior Challenge will bring a feat

She will compete today in three events plus the bars

Believing in her athletic destiny as she arrives by car

The judges will be looking for routines to score the best

Expecting to assess poise and skills that pass the test

Perseverance is her nickname

Tenacity ignites her flame

This determined gymnast competes with renewed poise

Warming up, she seems oblivious to the crowd’s noise

Her bars warm-up finishes exceedingly well

Feeling her inner confidence grow and swell

It’s her turn to show the best she can be

Nailing the giant at last for judges to see

Perseverance is her nickname

Tenacity ignites her flame

 

I have several grandchildren, whom all make me very proud.  This poem honors my then 11-year old granddaughter who is a very accomplished gymnast.  She has moved up to Level 7 and enjoys competing at this higher level.  

 

Fulfilling a Writer’s Fate

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Lying awake in bed, feeling ready to write

Morning light feeling much too bright

 

Searching in my head for ideas to write about

Will today’s words offer and deliver much clout?

 

Sitting, thinking, and sitting . . . nothing!

Why can’t my mind create something?

 

Perhaps more coffee will warm up my mind

Hoping that possible ideas may soon be mine

 

Do all writers usually feel this way?

With little or nothing to really say

 

Hunger offers quick, necessary break

Nutritious breakfast, now I will make

 

Finished eating and returning to my writing table

Satisfied appetite doesn’t make me anymore able

 

Struggling through another writer’s block

Tired eyes continue watching the ticking clock

 

Wow!  This short poem I now create

Finally, fulfilling my writer’s fate 

  

Photo by energepic.com on Pexels.com