I have a story to tell. A few years ago my daughter and I were up north in Maine visiting family. I have been a single mom since 1992, my daughter was five. My folks asked us to go with them to visit my sister Brenda, her husband Tom and my two nephews Matthew and Michael. They have a nice Cape Cod house out in the country, away from the town itself. As we were going around many winding roads leading there I spotted a garage sale, what Maine folks live for on a Saturday morning! My dad piped up "I'll go back there with you." As we approached the home there were items on tables in the front of the garage. I immediately spotted a light brown teddy bear with blue paws and around his ears, and the cutest nose I've ever seen. It was love at first sight. I knew I had to have him and I saw his worth, for I loved cuddly teddy bears. I picked him up and drew him to me and felt his hug ability. I knew I wanted him. I asked the girl how much she was asking for him. She said "how about 25 cents"? I thought, what a bargain, although in my heart I knew that bear had a greater value, she just didn't want him anymore. I had felt like that bear before Christ came into my heart. So he was now part of my family. When we got home I washed him in Ivory Snow and found him to be a white bear with blue paws! He had not been washed in awhile I thought to myself. Someone had not been taking care of him. This 25 cent bear has been something I could hug when I was lonely and has graced my bed ever since. When I take naps I lay him on top of me, it comforts me. I love him. He served a most mighty purpose a few months ago. He laid beside my child who was in a coma, in a trauma unit of a hospital, with Jesus pinned to his collar. When I couldn't be there with her, I left my most precious bear beside her, so she wouldn't feel lonely, and I delicately placed some of my perfume on his collar so she would feel my presence. They told me I couldn't stay at the hospital with her, but as the bear had comforted me, I knew it would her too. We are all worth something. If God can take a 25 cent bear and do a mighty work through him, what could he do for you?
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Friday, June 26, 2009
Heartstrings
Some sing of love that they long for.
Some don't need jail they're in their own prison.
Hug someone today it might be your last chance.
God can set your free if you open your heart.
Turtles live alone and inside a shell, so do some people.
If love flows like a river then why are you stuck on the bank?
You can't see real beauty in a rose if you only look at the thorns.
If love can move mountains what about God's grace?
Why do people make time when someone dies but not while they're still living?
Never feel sorry you loved someone it's why we're here.
If we'd all love one another we could extinguish all the hate in this world.
Why do people run when someone loves them?
You can't love another until you love yourself.
You can't give away what you don't have.
When you cry and pour out your soul God's listening.
Ever wondered why good people die young, there's a place for angels.
Sometimes others can see in us what we can't see in ourselves.
Love can move mountains; there is nothing too hard for God.
If music is good for the soul just think what love could do.
You can say many things in silence.
Some sing of love that they long for.
How sad to love someone that doesn't love themselves.
If my love were a rose garden it would bloom till eternity.
Sometimes love is not enough.
A genuine smile cannot be resisted.
Sometimes some of the deepest feelings lie hidden in the heart and are not spoken.
A rose is pretty to look at but the fragrance lasts only a moment, its memory forever.
How do you say goodbye to someone you love?
Tears are prayers sown from the soul.
Where there is great love, there are many tears.
When you have been hurt in love you close your heart but if you open your heart and let someone in, you may find a good friend and you may find your true love.
If you love someone don't waste precious time tell them, you may never get another chance.
Some people give away what they do not want anymore, true love gives away what is most precious to them.
Love is sacrifice.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Some don't need jail they're in their own prison.
Hug someone today it might be your last chance.
God can set your free if you open your heart.
Turtles live alone and inside a shell, so do some people.
If love flows like a river then why are you stuck on the bank?
You can't see real beauty in a rose if you only look at the thorns.
If love can move mountains what about God's grace?
Why do people make time when someone dies but not while they're still living?
Never feel sorry you loved someone it's why we're here.
If we'd all love one another we could extinguish all the hate in this world.
Why do people run when someone loves them?
You can't love another until you love yourself.
You can't give away what you don't have.
When you cry and pour out your soul God's listening.
Ever wondered why good people die young, there's a place for angels.
Sometimes others can see in us what we can't see in ourselves.
Love can move mountains; there is nothing too hard for God.
If music is good for the soul just think what love could do.
You can say many things in silence.
Some sing of love that they long for.
How sad to love someone that doesn't love themselves.
If my love were a rose garden it would bloom till eternity.
Sometimes love is not enough.
A genuine smile cannot be resisted.
Sometimes some of the deepest feelings lie hidden in the heart and are not spoken.
A rose is pretty to look at but the fragrance lasts only a moment, its memory forever.
How do you say goodbye to someone you love?
Tears are prayers sown from the soul.
Where there is great love, there are many tears.
When you have been hurt in love you close your heart but if you open your heart and let someone in, you may find a good friend and you may find your true love.
If you love someone don't waste precious time tell them, you may never get another chance.
Some people give away what they do not want anymore, true love gives away what is most precious to them.
Love is sacrifice.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Why?
It’s been almost two years now since you’ve gone,
And sometimes I feel as though I can’t go on
I often wonder why it took me so long,
To realize that I’m not really very strong.
For at times I think of you and cry,
And wonder, why oh why did you have to die?
But to ease the pain that lies deep within my heart,
I thank God for your life he blessed us with, and now we must part.
He gave us his chance to say goodbye,
And for that I am thankful,
But still I ask, why oh why did you have to die,
And oh how it hurts to cry…we miss you Lynn.
(I began writing to deal with the loss of my sister. This is one of my first poems, written in 1984, found in my collection titled Heartstrings, Copyright © 2002 by Library of Congress)
And sometimes I feel as though I can’t go on
I often wonder why it took me so long,
To realize that I’m not really very strong.
For at times I think of you and cry,
And wonder, why oh why did you have to die?
But to ease the pain that lies deep within my heart,
I thank God for your life he blessed us with, and now we must part.
He gave us his chance to say goodbye,
And for that I am thankful,
But still I ask, why oh why did you have to die,
And oh how it hurts to cry…we miss you Lynn.
(I began writing to deal with the loss of my sister. This is one of my first poems, written in 1984, found in my collection titled Heartstrings, Copyright © 2002 by Library of Congress)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Jesus heals a man born blind
A teacher once taught that "In a dark room, the blind man has the advantage. He is in a better position." He was speaking about spiritual blindness. Here is an excerpt from my Bible journal...
John 9:3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
9:4 "As long as it is day (light) we must do the work of him who sent me. Night (darkness) is coming when no one can work.
5 "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 Having said this he spit on the ground (used to heal a person's eyes, the ground is spoken of and used often in the Bible, dirt and dust, and the woman caught in adultery, wipe the dust off your feet. Jesus wrote in the dirt. He told the man born blind "go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." (Man was obedient).
11 "The man they call Jesus," he replied made some mud and put it on my eyes, so I went and washed and then I could see." (Man born blind was obedient; he was healed on a Sabbath day).
12 "Where is this man," they asked him. "I don't know," he said.
16 "He is a prophet." (The Jews always seemed to need proof).
21 "Ask him, he is of age, he will speak for himself."
23 "He is of age, ask him." (Were the parents willing to risk their son being put out of the synagogue but not themselves, was this right? Twice they told the Jews to ask their son.
22 "His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews."
24 They're accusing Jesus of being a sinner.
25 The blind man said "I don't know" twice in this passage, "One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see." (He's rejoicing in his healing). He's not concerned of who did it. Do we sometimes act like the Jews and have to question everything instead of giving glory to God. Maybe it even prevents us from praising him or delays the praising. When this happens it's not expressing our faith in God the way he intended, but doubting. God wants us to be believers. "The work of God is this to believe in the one I have sent." I love the response of the blind man. I feel as though I want to rejoice with him. The Pharisees spent too much time investigating things. Like trying to be God themselves, to me that's idol worshiping.
27 He answered. "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again?" "Do you want to become his disciples, too?" I think the blind man had immediately following his healing decided to follow Jesus.
28 (He was insulted and suffered because he'd decided to follow Jesus),
29 (The Pharisees did not believe in Jesus because they couldn't prove him to be who he said he was. Even the healing of the blind man didn't change their mind. What stubbornness. I'm proud of how the blind man stood up for Jesus to the Pharisees, he was brave. "You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes."
30 The blind man was not afraid of them especially where he said "Now that is remarkable, you don't know where he comes from yet he opened my eyes." (I think he was very good at defending Jesus and brave. He didn't know that Jesus was the "Son of Man" but he chose to believe by faith in him, take him at his word because he knew what he had done for him).
31 "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will."
32 Now look at the testimony he offers to the Pharisees "nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind."
33 "If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." (I'm proud of the blind man; he risked being thrown out of the temple and stood up for Jesus. We should speak up for Jesus like he did. They were the ones sinning because they didn't believe, how tragic. How many people today are acting like the Pharisees and have to have everything proven to them before they'll believe by faith? Who were they to judge him? I see several sins here by the Pharisees 1) they didn't believe 2) they were idol worshipping themselves 3) false testimony-they said he was "steeped" in sin at birth. We're all sinners who need a Savior. They acted like they were without sin and set themselves up to be this man's judge, very dangerous. Their lack of unbelieving to me was the greatest sin. The blind man wanted to know more about Jesus when Jesus asked him "do you believe in the Son of Man?" He said to Jesus "tell me so that I may believe." Jesus said, "in fact, he is the one speaking with you. Then the man said "Lord, I believe, and he worshipped him." Beautiful demonstration of how we are to respond to Jesus. I love Jesus.
41 Jesus accused the Pharisees of sin. To him, I believe, "to see" meant, "believe." I think some of us are blind, it means we need to believe in Jesus. Eyes are used figuratively and literally. The blind man was without sin, he could now see. The Pharisees were blind, they couldn't see, had sin.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
John 9:3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
9:4 "As long as it is day (light) we must do the work of him who sent me. Night (darkness) is coming when no one can work.
5 "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 Having said this he spit on the ground (used to heal a person's eyes, the ground is spoken of and used often in the Bible, dirt and dust, and the woman caught in adultery, wipe the dust off your feet. Jesus wrote in the dirt. He told the man born blind "go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." (Man was obedient).
11 "The man they call Jesus," he replied made some mud and put it on my eyes, so I went and washed and then I could see." (Man born blind was obedient; he was healed on a Sabbath day).
12 "Where is this man," they asked him. "I don't know," he said.
16 "He is a prophet." (The Jews always seemed to need proof).
21 "Ask him, he is of age, he will speak for himself."
23 "He is of age, ask him." (Were the parents willing to risk their son being put out of the synagogue but not themselves, was this right? Twice they told the Jews to ask their son.
22 "His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews."
24 They're accusing Jesus of being a sinner.
25 The blind man said "I don't know" twice in this passage, "One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see." (He's rejoicing in his healing). He's not concerned of who did it. Do we sometimes act like the Jews and have to question everything instead of giving glory to God. Maybe it even prevents us from praising him or delays the praising. When this happens it's not expressing our faith in God the way he intended, but doubting. God wants us to be believers. "The work of God is this to believe in the one I have sent." I love the response of the blind man. I feel as though I want to rejoice with him. The Pharisees spent too much time investigating things. Like trying to be God themselves, to me that's idol worshiping.
27 He answered. "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again?" "Do you want to become his disciples, too?" I think the blind man had immediately following his healing decided to follow Jesus.
28 (He was insulted and suffered because he'd decided to follow Jesus),
29 (The Pharisees did not believe in Jesus because they couldn't prove him to be who he said he was. Even the healing of the blind man didn't change their mind. What stubbornness. I'm proud of how the blind man stood up for Jesus to the Pharisees, he was brave. "You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes."
30 The blind man was not afraid of them especially where he said "Now that is remarkable, you don't know where he comes from yet he opened my eyes." (I think he was very good at defending Jesus and brave. He didn't know that Jesus was the "Son of Man" but he chose to believe by faith in him, take him at his word because he knew what he had done for him).
31 "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will."
32 Now look at the testimony he offers to the Pharisees "nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind."
33 "If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." (I'm proud of the blind man; he risked being thrown out of the temple and stood up for Jesus. We should speak up for Jesus like he did. They were the ones sinning because they didn't believe, how tragic. How many people today are acting like the Pharisees and have to have everything proven to them before they'll believe by faith? Who were they to judge him? I see several sins here by the Pharisees 1) they didn't believe 2) they were idol worshipping themselves 3) false testimony-they said he was "steeped" in sin at birth. We're all sinners who need a Savior. They acted like they were without sin and set themselves up to be this man's judge, very dangerous. Their lack of unbelieving to me was the greatest sin. The blind man wanted to know more about Jesus when Jesus asked him "do you believe in the Son of Man?" He said to Jesus "tell me so that I may believe." Jesus said, "in fact, he is the one speaking with you. Then the man said "Lord, I believe, and he worshipped him." Beautiful demonstration of how we are to respond to Jesus. I love Jesus.
41 Jesus accused the Pharisees of sin. To him, I believe, "to see" meant, "believe." I think some of us are blind, it means we need to believe in Jesus. Eyes are used figuratively and literally. The blind man was without sin, he could now see. The Pharisees were blind, they couldn't see, had sin.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
At the Cross
I sit here at the cross
of the Mission of Nombre de Dios
in St. Augustine, Florida
it is so peaceful
I hear the church bells ring
and the birds sing their last song
before the sun sets
and they go to their nests
I see the reflection of the cross on the water
a boat arrives in the bay with a load of fish
the seagulls sing one after another
The clouds appear in the sky
as angels in white with blue robes
Two men in a motor boat
have been fishing for clams in the bay
he steers it with a long handle in the back
People pass me by
while out walking their dogs
it is the best place in the world
to be sitting on the base of the cross
My heart is filled to overflowing
with the peace of God
at the foot of the cross
Church bells ring again, three times
ding dong, ding dong, ding dong
then five loud single notes follow
dong, dong, dong, dong, dong,
The sun appears out of the clouds
and warms me
I wish that I could stay here forever...
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
of the Mission of Nombre de Dios
in St. Augustine, Florida
it is so peaceful
I hear the church bells ring
and the birds sing their last song
before the sun sets
and they go to their nests
I see the reflection of the cross on the water
a boat arrives in the bay with a load of fish
the seagulls sing one after another
The clouds appear in the sky
as angels in white with blue robes
Two men in a motor boat
have been fishing for clams in the bay
he steers it with a long handle in the back
People pass me by
while out walking their dogs
it is the best place in the world
to be sitting on the base of the cross
My heart is filled to overflowing
with the peace of God
at the foot of the cross
Church bells ring again, three times
ding dong, ding dong, ding dong
then five loud single notes follow
dong, dong, dong, dong, dong,
The sun appears out of the clouds
and warms me
I wish that I could stay here forever...
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Prayer for my Child
How hard it is to say goodnight,
and wonder if you'll sleep too tight,
for if you didn't wake tomorrow,
it would be my greatest sorrow.
I've loved you deeply right from the start,
and if there were a window to my heart,
you'd find all the love you've given me,
your life it means so much to me.
So we'll take each day as it comes,
and say our prayers, when the day is done,
whatever life brings we'll see it through,
as often wishes do come true.
A gift you are from the one above,
you've given my life meaning,
and filled it with love,
So precious God above
who sent you to me,
might I ask that you set her free, for one more day.
Heartstrings, Copyright © 2002 by Library of Congress
and wonder if you'll sleep too tight,
for if you didn't wake tomorrow,
it would be my greatest sorrow.
I've loved you deeply right from the start,
and if there were a window to my heart,
you'd find all the love you've given me,
your life it means so much to me.
So we'll take each day as it comes,
and say our prayers, when the day is done,
whatever life brings we'll see it through,
as often wishes do come true.
A gift you are from the one above,
you've given my life meaning,
and filled it with love,
So precious God above
who sent you to me,
might I ask that you set her free, for one more day.
Heartstrings, Copyright © 2002 by Library of Congress
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Oppression and the Unborn
A sonnet in 8 beats, likened to the rhythm of a heart. On Abortion, from a dead fetus to the doctor who took its life...
I did not stand a chance at life
Because you killed me with a knife
And when I screamed from my mother's womb
You turned away and left the room
Took off your white doctor's jacket
And your gloves smothered in my blood
Then you stepped into the shower
But could not wash away your sin
Had you thought what I might have been
A minister, teacher, your friend
But now, I lay in a cold grave
And my blood you can't wash away...
"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed" (Psalm 82:3).
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
I did not stand a chance at life
Because you killed me with a knife
And when I screamed from my mother's womb
You turned away and left the room
Took off your white doctor's jacket
And your gloves smothered in my blood
Then you stepped into the shower
But could not wash away your sin
Had you thought what I might have been
A minister, teacher, your friend
But now, I lay in a cold grave
And my blood you can't wash away...
"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed" (Psalm 82:3).
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Friday, June 19, 2009
Angels Cry
The
angels
are
crying
in
heaven
today
because of sin and how it has its way
of
taking
captive
an
honest
man’s
heart
and
turning
it
sinful
and
angels
are
crying
in
heaven
today
because of sin and how it has its way
of
taking
captive
an
honest
man’s
heart
and
turning
it
sinful
and
his
life
falls apart
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
He died for me
There was a preacher
who touched my heart
he put ashes on my forehead
his name was Clark
The ashes are a sign
that I've been forgiven
laid down my sins before him
my Jesus in heaven
He, who wants us to come
to him by his grace
never wanting anyone to
perish in this race
Eternal life is forever
our time here so brief
the one who gave his life died
so we could live in peace
At the right hand of God he sits
calling us to him
only asking us to believe
and give up our sins
If you died today
with Jesus would you be
if you're not sure, don't wait
lay your sins at the foot of the tree
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
who touched my heart
he put ashes on my forehead
his name was Clark
The ashes are a sign
that I've been forgiven
laid down my sins before him
my Jesus in heaven
He, who wants us to come
to him by his grace
never wanting anyone to
perish in this race
Eternal life is forever
our time here so brief
the one who gave his life died
so we could live in peace
At the right hand of God he sits
calling us to him
only asking us to believe
and give up our sins
If you died today
with Jesus would you be
if you're not sure, don't wait
lay your sins at the foot of the tree
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
God's Palette
Pretty colors in the sky
Reds, yellows, greens and purples
Like people in the world
Different colors, different races
But God loves them all
They are his children
So shouldn’t we
Love each other
God’s love has no boundaries
So color should not
If we love like God
We look on the heart
For what lies beneath
We are the same “one” in all
One color, one race
Red, yellow, black and white
All have a heart
That God makes beat
The power of life and death
Lie in his hands
God is love (1 John 4:16)
For whence comes life, comes love
So shouldn’t we
Love the same?
(Different colors make up a rainbow, like different races makeup God’s world )
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Reds, yellows, greens and purples
Like people in the world
Different colors, different races
But God loves them all
They are his children
So shouldn’t we
Love each other
God’s love has no boundaries
So color should not
If we love like God
We look on the heart
For what lies beneath
We are the same “one” in all
One color, one race
Red, yellow, black and white
All have a heart
That God makes beat
The power of life and death
Lie in his hands
God is love (1 John 4:16)
For whence comes life, comes love
So shouldn’t we
Love the same?
(Different colors make up a rainbow, like different races makeup God’s world )
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Boy in the Hole (in southern dialect)
"Momma," I says, "comma heah momma.
I seah da black mayen
down in deah big black hoe.
He is diggin down in theyah
and it is purty deep.
I seah a white mayen
standin ovah the hole
lookin down at him.
He has a white hat on his head
and he is shootin awdis
at dat litta boy down in theyah.
He caint be moya den ten year owed.
Momma ma heart it hurt to see it,
a little boy jist ten yeahs old
diggin dirt for a slice a bread,
is all he gits fom dat man.
I watch him give em da otha day.
Why he jist sit deah while dat litta boy
work his litta baby self
ah tired and all.
Momma, I think I gonna cry, momma,
I caint take it no longah,
he is my brothah, momma."
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
I seah da black mayen
down in deah big black hoe.
He is diggin down in theyah
and it is purty deep.
I seah a white mayen
standin ovah the hole
lookin down at him.
He has a white hat on his head
and he is shootin awdis
at dat litta boy down in theyah.
He caint be moya den ten year owed.
Momma ma heart it hurt to see it,
a little boy jist ten yeahs old
diggin dirt for a slice a bread,
is all he gits fom dat man.
I watch him give em da otha day.
Why he jist sit deah while dat litta boy
work his litta baby self
ah tired and all.
Momma, I think I gonna cry, momma,
I caint take it no longah,
he is my brothah, momma."
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
The Flag
I remember when I was a little girl at Shapleigh Elementary School
in Kittery, Maine. The teacher would say "Children, it is now time to
stand for the Pledge of Allegiance." And we all stood in succession
and placed our right hands over our hearts. When you're a little kid
sometimes you get the hand wrong but your heart is always right.
And so we began, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States
Of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." We were children but
we knew the words and we spoke with pride for our country. Now I
am older and see the flag and I remember what I was taught as a
little
girl
in
school
to
always
respect
the
flag
and
what
it
stands
for.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
in Kittery, Maine. The teacher would say "Children, it is now time to
stand for the Pledge of Allegiance." And we all stood in succession
and placed our right hands over our hearts. When you're a little kid
sometimes you get the hand wrong but your heart is always right.
And so we began, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States
Of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." We were children but
we knew the words and we spoke with pride for our country. Now I
am older and see the flag and I remember what I was taught as a
little
girl
in
school
to
always
respect
the
flag
and
what
it
stands
for.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
A Dramatic Monologue
A Dramatic Monologue
(Inspired by Shakespeare)
If all the world's a
stage and all the
men and women
merely players
(Inspired by Shakespeare)
If all the world's a
stage and all the
men and women
merely players
then when my
act is done
the curtain
drawn I
pray thee
be blessed
with a standing ovation
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
act is done
the curtain
drawn I
pray thee
be blessed
with a standing ovation
Friday, June 12, 2009
Peacocks
Having spent some time in North Carolina, I was able to observe peacocks up close and personal. The male peacock is prettier in color than the female, with emerald green and blue feathers that look like silk. Both love to climb, things like trees, porches, barns, cars. I never knew this about peacocks, especially the part about how they sleep at night. Right about sunset, the peacock will begin to climb the tree, that being the only tree that my friends have in close proximity to their mobile home. You see, they live on property that is surrounded by soybean fields. You cannot see the neighbors from their house. But, surrounding the soybean fields are many trees that seem to be like a perfect backdrop to a beautiful painting with deer ascending through them at sunset, sometimes in groups of seven or eight at a time. One night, I was taking a walk and I saw a group of deer at the edge of the trees and as the rest of them hopped back into the woods, one deer stayed behind and just gandered at me. The ears come up and the eyes pierce you, as they have such a sweet innocent look about them. I went a little further and then I looked back and he was still looking. And I wondered about it. What must he be thinking, I thought. Then, without any notice, he danced back into the woods and I saw this beautiful white tail bouncing up into the air. And I stood there in silence. And I thought about the scripture, “As the deer panteth o’er the water so my soul longeth after thee.” And I headed on home and I thought about that deer. About the time I rounded the driveway, the peacocks were all perched on their selected branches for the night. I do not understand it, but one sleeps above the other. And all of sudden, the male, who is the “security guard” for the two, let out this loud, “caw” sound because he thought I was trouble. And I looked up at them before I went in, and I thought about all the places they could sleep, but they choose a branch in a tree. About food from the hand, they like bread and crackers I found out early on. They come running for it. And I was determined to touch that gorgeous, long, blue-green tail spread out before my eyes. It became like a game. Birds know when you want to touch their feathers. I kind of had to distract him in order to do it, and he made a run for it. Now, I must tell you about the peacock dance. At certain seasons, it seems, the male peacock will take a liking to the female peacock and begin to court her. He spreads his feathers out and dances in a circle. He will do this for what seems like hours on end. And then sometimes, he will spontaneously just chase her around the yard. In the case of this female peacock, she is not the least bit interested in either maneuver. And I feel sorry for the male peacock because he never tires out and he continues to spin around until you think he will drop from exhaustion. And the female, well she just goes about her business of making him crazy. And then the next day, they come down the tree and the dance begins again. Perhaps, in his perseverance, the male peacock will win the females heart and they will dance together in the tree.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Morning Begins, Love Ends
I sit outdoors and think about my life,
and surrender to my surroundings;
it feels as though bricks are laying on my heart
the chickadees coo a hello from the tree. I sit still, in awe.
The dove graces the light pole, peace be still he says.
I taste the crisp air as the fog rolls in,
Morning begins, Love ends.
My heart bleeds for you says my vine,
the wildflowers droop their heads as if feeling my pain,
the mini roses lay dormant, like how I feel,
the orchid tells me a story as I watch the petals open,
one each day for every day you've been gone.
I hear the rattling of a train in the distance,
and the truckers roar by, never ending. Life goes on.
How spiny the tree looks without green to hug it,
from somewhere I hear a sweet melody, was that for me?
The eagle soars by, in solitude, like how I feel,
I watch the dance of the black and yellow butterfly,
who came last fall,
he's back I say, set it free he's trying to tell me.
I'll try, I say to my friends, as I search the blue sky, I'll try.
Morning Begins, Love Ends.
Heartsrings, Copyright © 2002 by Library of Congress
and surrender to my surroundings;
it feels as though bricks are laying on my heart
the chickadees coo a hello from the tree. I sit still, in awe.
The dove graces the light pole, peace be still he says.
I taste the crisp air as the fog rolls in,
Morning begins, Love ends.
My heart bleeds for you says my vine,
the wildflowers droop their heads as if feeling my pain,
the mini roses lay dormant, like how I feel,
the orchid tells me a story as I watch the petals open,
one each day for every day you've been gone.
I hear the rattling of a train in the distance,
and the truckers roar by, never ending. Life goes on.
How spiny the tree looks without green to hug it,
from somewhere I hear a sweet melody, was that for me?
The eagle soars by, in solitude, like how I feel,
I watch the dance of the black and yellow butterfly,
who came last fall,
he's back I say, set it free he's trying to tell me.
I'll try, I say to my friends, as I search the blue sky, I'll try.
Morning Begins, Love Ends.
Heartsrings, Copyright © 2002 by Library of Congress
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Reflection
We are but a wave on the sea of life
and God is in charge of our motion;
some crest high, some low, but
when we reach the shore,
we are all the
same.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © by Library of Congress
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Sparrows fly
I see a sparrow
fly high
through the air
he is tiny
brown and gold
God sees him
with his eye
and not one will
fall to the ground
without him noticing
he cares for
you and me
like a sparrow
how precious are you
to God
if he loves even
a tiny sparrow
this much?
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
fly high
through the air
he is tiny
brown and gold
God sees him
with his eye
and not one will
fall to the ground
without him noticing
he cares for
you and me
like a sparrow
how precious are you
to God
if he loves even
a tiny sparrow
this much?
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Monday, June 8, 2009
In memory of a Loggerhead Turtle named Jonah
Jonah, did you know
Though you were a turtle, we loved you?
Did you know
That one day you would swim the ocean
Did you know
That you would touch our lives forever
People from around the world
Came to visit you, a loggerhead turtle
In a marine life center
And though we never touched your shell
You touched our hearts
We gazed on you in wonder
And now we ask ourselves
Why did you return, after your release?
To be found in the Indian River Lagoon
With a fish hook and line inside you,
And Lethargic Loggerhead Syndrome
Did you come to see your friends, one last time?
Before you would take your last breath
To be now in his eternal presence.
*Lethargic Loggerhead is a neurological disease that results in paralysis in sea turtles.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Though you were a turtle, we loved you?
Did you know
That one day you would swim the ocean
Did you know
That you would touch our lives forever
People from around the world
Came to visit you, a loggerhead turtle
In a marine life center
And though we never touched your shell
You touched our hearts
We gazed on you in wonder
And now we ask ourselves
Why did you return, after your release?
To be found in the Indian River Lagoon
With a fish hook and line inside you,
And Lethargic Loggerhead Syndrome
Did you come to see your friends, one last time?
Before you would take your last breath
To be now in his eternal presence.
*Lethargic Loggerhead is a neurological disease that results in paralysis in sea turtles.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
The magnolia flower
Once upon a time there was a magnolia tree, and it grew the most beautiful flowers of its time. There was one flower in particular who not only had the most beautiful fragrance; it carried within it, the seed of love. It worked very hard at being the prettiest flower on the tree, in hopes that someone would come and pick it for their very own. The flower could not speak what its heart held dear, but only wish for it. Every year, it would take in just the right amount of living water, and sunshine from the magnolia tree, seeing to it that its fragrance would be the best of all the flowers. And oh how that flower longed to be chosen. Year after year, the flower waited, until one day, it could not take it any longer, and so it wilted, and the seeds fell out of the flower like tears, and it died, because no one came to pick it.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Lonely Places
I look up from my book
to gaze out into the blue-green ocean
watch the pelicans
a man appears
he does not see me sitting there
so still
he puts down his work pail
facing the ocean
bows his head for a moment
in prayer
then he lifts his arms high as he looks up to heaven
and talks to God
when he is finished
he looks up and then he notices me
I tell him that I am Christian
ask him if he needs a prayer
he smiles in gratitude
tells me that he comes here everyday before work to pray
we say so long
he walks away
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
to gaze out into the blue-green ocean
watch the pelicans
a man appears
he does not see me sitting there
so still
he puts down his work pail
facing the ocean
bows his head for a moment
in prayer
then he lifts his arms high as he looks up to heaven
and talks to God
when he is finished
he looks up and then he notices me
I tell him that I am Christian
ask him if he needs a prayer
he smiles in gratitude
tells me that he comes here everyday before work to pray
we say so long
he walks away
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Once Upon a Time-Storybook
Gorillas
Once upon a time, there was a gorilla that lived at a zoo and he dreamed about getting out. He sat there day after day after day wondering how he could get out of his habitat. And this gorilla was very intelligent and he always received more bananas then the rest because he was also very well behaved. But, this day, he decided that he had had enough, and wanted to see if he could get something different to eat. He had had enough bananas to last a lifetime. It was early when he got up this day, and as he sat there scratching his head, he remembered the bamboo trees were good for climbing, but out of reach. Then, he looked up and saw a light beam shine in and land on the spot where he sat and meditated everyday and he knew that he had been heard. All of a sudden, there was a violent storm, and the wind picked up and he ran inside. When the storm was over he looked out and saw that the high winds had caused the bamboo trees to sway and come to rest in just the right position for him to climb up and out and break free from his enclosure. So, he made a run for it and chased the guy who always gave him bananas around the zoo. Then, he went back to where he lived all his life, because it was home to him, and all he really wanted to do was have something better to eat than a banana. The end.
A Lady and a Turtle
Once upon a time there was a turtle that lived on property belonging to rich people. He decided to take a risk and go for a stroll to see what it was like on the other side of the road, where the poor people lived. Mr. Turtle became afraid while crossing the road, because he did not know which way to go and he remembered that momma turtle had always told him to never cross the road. Now he was sad too. He thought to himself, “I should have stayed home; this might be the end for me.” The cars were coming so fast, and he knew he might get hit, so he pulled his head into his shell and prayed. When all of a sudden, a very nice lady came along in her car and stopped to see if he needed help. He thought, “She must be a good Samaritan,” when she reached down and scooped him up and brought him to her home by the pond. Mr. Turtle was happy again and thought life was sweet because he was alive. One day, he met Mrs. Turtle and they built a house on a rock, and for the rest of their lives they lived happily ever after. The end.
Put your head on my shoulder
Once upon a time, a moose named Myron wandered to a nearby pasture where there was a bossy cow named Grace grazing in the green grass. Myron was shy but found his way over to her and stood there. As the days went by, Myron and Grace became friends. One day Grace said, “Why don’t you put your head on my shoulder and rest. The talk began around town as to the going’s on between Myron and Grace because most of the time Myron had only stood beside her, but now he was resting his head on her shoulder. The people of the town had never seen this sight before. Myron grew fond of Grace and her the same and their friendship flourished until one day Myron came back to find her gone. It seems she had met “Moo” a bull cow and although Myron was sad, he understood that after all he was a moose, not a cow and he couldn’t expect Grace to be sweet on him. So, the days grew longer and Myron had no one's shoulder to rest his head, so he just let it droop. But, just as it seemed all hope was gone, he looked up and there before his very eyes was someone new and just like him, a moose named Dignity and Myron was happy again because Dignity helped him find his way. The end.
The Cow that wanted to Moo
Once upon a time there was a cow named Mo. Mo was a male cow and Mo could not “moo,” so his owner Farmer Brown named him Mo. Mo was sad because he wanted to be like all the other cows in the pasture that could “moo.” So, Mo ran away to another pasture. One day, Mo was all alone grazing in the green grass, when along came a pretty female cow, and all of a sudden Mo said “ooow,” and then Mo realized that he could do anything he dreamed he could, because his new friend helped him to not be shy anymore. When Mo tried to “moo” this time he was happy because he could. Then Mo returned home to Farmer Brown with his new friend. The cowbells rang in the pasture and they lived happily ever after. The end.
Tim's Cove
Once upon a time there lived a young boy named Tim. He lived all alone in an old rundown shack in the woods near Sebec Lake. Tim loved to fish. But even so, he had not come out of the shack in a very long time. Tim was sad because one day he woke up and found his family gone. When he went to bed that night, he wept bitterly. His sobs were heard throughout the forest, to all the creatures that lived there. The next day, when Tim woke, he heard a sweet sound coming from outside, and so he leaped out of bed and looked out the window. There before his very eyes were a rabbit, two ducks, a loon and a deer. The deer, who appeared to be the leader of them said to Tim, "Could we come and live with you? We lost our home in the woods to a campfire." Tim smiled at the thought of it and shyly said, "If you do not mind being with a little boy and sleeping on the floor at the foot of my bed." It seemed as if all the animals grinned in unison. Tim was happy again and so were the animals. As he lay on his bed that night looking out the window, he saw one luminous star twinkling in the east, and he gave thanks for his new family, and then he fell into a deep sleep. Upon awakening, he lay there looking at the crescent moon and remembered that for a very long time there had been one other thing that he longed for. He whispered, "I wonder if I could ask for a fishing pole? And if I had one, I could walk to Sebec Lake and fish on the shore all the day long with the rabbit, the two ducks, the loon and the deer by my side." For Tim was the happiest when he was fishing. So, he said his prayers and went to sleep. When he woke up the next morning, he noticed that there was a bright light shining in through the bedroom window and it came to rest at the foot of the bed, where all the animals were asleep on the floor. And in that moment, he felt in his heart like he did when they came to live with him, and he knew that his wish had been heard. So he jumped up and looked out the window, and there resting up against the lone pine tree was a bright and shiny new fishing pole. Tim once again gave thanks. The next day, Tim fished on the shore with the rabbit, the two ducks, the loon and the deer alongside him. And his face glowed in the radiance of an angel because Tim now had faith. The end.
Tim's Cove (story II in a series)
Once upon a time, young Tim and his new family, a rabbit, two ducks, a loon and a deer were sitting on the dock one day and young Tim was fishing, when all of a sudden an alligator swam toward them and being that the water was level with the dock he just crawled right on up there and had a good rest. Well then, they looked at each other and seemed to have the same thought at the same time. After all, they needed a father for the family. Well, about that time the alligator had a notion that he might just have a home now and so he smiled big and showed those teeth so pretty and that big jaw line. Well, it did not take one bit a time for young Tim and his family to get off of that dock and run all the way back to the cabin in the woods and hide under the bed. And the alligator was just sitting there dumbfounded and he could not understand why it was that they all left so quickly. He thought to himself, "all I did was smile." The end.
Tim's Cove (story III in a series)
So Tim and his friends, a rabbit, two ducks, a loon and a deer were hiding under the bed having run from Mr. Alligator who was left on the dock dumfounded as to why they ran away. And all of a sudden, Tim said to his friends, “You know we weren’t very nice to Mr. Alligator and after all we do need someone with a big jaw line like his to protect us. I don’t think he meant us any harm. Why don’t we go back to the dock and talk to him and tell him we were sorry for running away and ask him to come and live with us.” “Great,” said all the animals in unison. And so it was they walked in single file behind Tim the leader all the way to the dock where they found Mr. Alligator with his mouth closed and his head drooped like he was sad. “Hey Mr. Alligator, Tim said. We were thinking that maybe we could have you come to live with us and be a part of our family.” We’re sorry we misjudged you so quickly just because you have a big jaw line and all. “It’s ok,” said Mr. Alligator that’s why I don’t have many friends because every time I smile they run away.” All of a sudden it dawned on Mr. Alligator that he was now going to be a part of a family. He got so excited flapping his tail that he slid right off of that dock into the water. Tim and his friends, a rabbit, two ducks, a loon and a deer all laughed themselves silly. After Mr. Alligator recovered himself they went back to Tim’s cabin and had a nice meal of barbequed chicken. Mr. Alligator had no trouble chewing and was finished first. So he’s sitting there with that wide grin and that big jaw line exposed when there is a knock on the door. It seems that Tim’s former family had decided to come back home. Well now Tim did not like it one bit because they had left him and he was sad when they did and his heart was broken in to and now he had a new family. And God had healed his wounds. “You can’t come back now I have a new family, young Tim said. They would not leave. So about this time Mr. Alligator got down from the table and came up behind Tim and said, “Is there a problem?” And that was all it took for them to leave. And everyone celebrated with cake because Mr. Alligator had saved the day. At bedtime Tim let him sleep next to his bed because Tim knew he would protect him. Tim now felt safe and secure. And he knew that it wouldn’t have been right to make his new family leave after they had been together so long. They had all grown to love each other even though they were animals and he was a young boy. And all slept well this night. The end.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright forthcoming
Once upon a time, there was a gorilla that lived at a zoo and he dreamed about getting out. He sat there day after day after day wondering how he could get out of his habitat. And this gorilla was very intelligent and he always received more bananas then the rest because he was also very well behaved. But, this day, he decided that he had had enough, and wanted to see if he could get something different to eat. He had had enough bananas to last a lifetime. It was early when he got up this day, and as he sat there scratching his head, he remembered the bamboo trees were good for climbing, but out of reach. Then, he looked up and saw a light beam shine in and land on the spot where he sat and meditated everyday and he knew that he had been heard. All of a sudden, there was a violent storm, and the wind picked up and he ran inside. When the storm was over he looked out and saw that the high winds had caused the bamboo trees to sway and come to rest in just the right position for him to climb up and out and break free from his enclosure. So, he made a run for it and chased the guy who always gave him bananas around the zoo. Then, he went back to where he lived all his life, because it was home to him, and all he really wanted to do was have something better to eat than a banana. The end.
A Lady and a Turtle
Once upon a time there was a turtle that lived on property belonging to rich people. He decided to take a risk and go for a stroll to see what it was like on the other side of the road, where the poor people lived. Mr. Turtle became afraid while crossing the road, because he did not know which way to go and he remembered that momma turtle had always told him to never cross the road. Now he was sad too. He thought to himself, “I should have stayed home; this might be the end for me.” The cars were coming so fast, and he knew he might get hit, so he pulled his head into his shell and prayed. When all of a sudden, a very nice lady came along in her car and stopped to see if he needed help. He thought, “She must be a good Samaritan,” when she reached down and scooped him up and brought him to her home by the pond. Mr. Turtle was happy again and thought life was sweet because he was alive. One day, he met Mrs. Turtle and they built a house on a rock, and for the rest of their lives they lived happily ever after. The end.
Put your head on my shoulder
Once upon a time, a moose named Myron wandered to a nearby pasture where there was a bossy cow named Grace grazing in the green grass. Myron was shy but found his way over to her and stood there. As the days went by, Myron and Grace became friends. One day Grace said, “Why don’t you put your head on my shoulder and rest. The talk began around town as to the going’s on between Myron and Grace because most of the time Myron had only stood beside her, but now he was resting his head on her shoulder. The people of the town had never seen this sight before. Myron grew fond of Grace and her the same and their friendship flourished until one day Myron came back to find her gone. It seems she had met “Moo” a bull cow and although Myron was sad, he understood that after all he was a moose, not a cow and he couldn’t expect Grace to be sweet on him. So, the days grew longer and Myron had no one's shoulder to rest his head, so he just let it droop. But, just as it seemed all hope was gone, he looked up and there before his very eyes was someone new and just like him, a moose named Dignity and Myron was happy again because Dignity helped him find his way. The end.
The Cow that wanted to Moo
Once upon a time there was a cow named Mo. Mo was a male cow and Mo could not “moo,” so his owner Farmer Brown named him Mo. Mo was sad because he wanted to be like all the other cows in the pasture that could “moo.” So, Mo ran away to another pasture. One day, Mo was all alone grazing in the green grass, when along came a pretty female cow, and all of a sudden Mo said “ooow,” and then Mo realized that he could do anything he dreamed he could, because his new friend helped him to not be shy anymore. When Mo tried to “moo” this time he was happy because he could. Then Mo returned home to Farmer Brown with his new friend. The cowbells rang in the pasture and they lived happily ever after. The end.
Tim's Cove
Once upon a time there lived a young boy named Tim. He lived all alone in an old rundown shack in the woods near Sebec Lake. Tim loved to fish. But even so, he had not come out of the shack in a very long time. Tim was sad because one day he woke up and found his family gone. When he went to bed that night, he wept bitterly. His sobs were heard throughout the forest, to all the creatures that lived there. The next day, when Tim woke, he heard a sweet sound coming from outside, and so he leaped out of bed and looked out the window. There before his very eyes were a rabbit, two ducks, a loon and a deer. The deer, who appeared to be the leader of them said to Tim, "Could we come and live with you? We lost our home in the woods to a campfire." Tim smiled at the thought of it and shyly said, "If you do not mind being with a little boy and sleeping on the floor at the foot of my bed." It seemed as if all the animals grinned in unison. Tim was happy again and so were the animals. As he lay on his bed that night looking out the window, he saw one luminous star twinkling in the east, and he gave thanks for his new family, and then he fell into a deep sleep. Upon awakening, he lay there looking at the crescent moon and remembered that for a very long time there had been one other thing that he longed for. He whispered, "I wonder if I could ask for a fishing pole? And if I had one, I could walk to Sebec Lake and fish on the shore all the day long with the rabbit, the two ducks, the loon and the deer by my side." For Tim was the happiest when he was fishing. So, he said his prayers and went to sleep. When he woke up the next morning, he noticed that there was a bright light shining in through the bedroom window and it came to rest at the foot of the bed, where all the animals were asleep on the floor. And in that moment, he felt in his heart like he did when they came to live with him, and he knew that his wish had been heard. So he jumped up and looked out the window, and there resting up against the lone pine tree was a bright and shiny new fishing pole. Tim once again gave thanks. The next day, Tim fished on the shore with the rabbit, the two ducks, the loon and the deer alongside him. And his face glowed in the radiance of an angel because Tim now had faith. The end.
Tim's Cove (story II in a series)
Once upon a time, young Tim and his new family, a rabbit, two ducks, a loon and a deer were sitting on the dock one day and young Tim was fishing, when all of a sudden an alligator swam toward them and being that the water was level with the dock he just crawled right on up there and had a good rest. Well then, they looked at each other and seemed to have the same thought at the same time. After all, they needed a father for the family. Well, about that time the alligator had a notion that he might just have a home now and so he smiled big and showed those teeth so pretty and that big jaw line. Well, it did not take one bit a time for young Tim and his family to get off of that dock and run all the way back to the cabin in the woods and hide under the bed. And the alligator was just sitting there dumbfounded and he could not understand why it was that they all left so quickly. He thought to himself, "all I did was smile." The end.
Tim's Cove (story III in a series)
So Tim and his friends, a rabbit, two ducks, a loon and a deer were hiding under the bed having run from Mr. Alligator who was left on the dock dumfounded as to why they ran away. And all of a sudden, Tim said to his friends, “You know we weren’t very nice to Mr. Alligator and after all we do need someone with a big jaw line like his to protect us. I don’t think he meant us any harm. Why don’t we go back to the dock and talk to him and tell him we were sorry for running away and ask him to come and live with us.” “Great,” said all the animals in unison. And so it was they walked in single file behind Tim the leader all the way to the dock where they found Mr. Alligator with his mouth closed and his head drooped like he was sad. “Hey Mr. Alligator, Tim said. We were thinking that maybe we could have you come to live with us and be a part of our family.” We’re sorry we misjudged you so quickly just because you have a big jaw line and all. “It’s ok,” said Mr. Alligator that’s why I don’t have many friends because every time I smile they run away.” All of a sudden it dawned on Mr. Alligator that he was now going to be a part of a family. He got so excited flapping his tail that he slid right off of that dock into the water. Tim and his friends, a rabbit, two ducks, a loon and a deer all laughed themselves silly. After Mr. Alligator recovered himself they went back to Tim’s cabin and had a nice meal of barbequed chicken. Mr. Alligator had no trouble chewing and was finished first. So he’s sitting there with that wide grin and that big jaw line exposed when there is a knock on the door. It seems that Tim’s former family had decided to come back home. Well now Tim did not like it one bit because they had left him and he was sad when they did and his heart was broken in to and now he had a new family. And God had healed his wounds. “You can’t come back now I have a new family, young Tim said. They would not leave. So about this time Mr. Alligator got down from the table and came up behind Tim and said, “Is there a problem?” And that was all it took for them to leave. And everyone celebrated with cake because Mr. Alligator had saved the day. At bedtime Tim let him sleep next to his bed because Tim knew he would protect him. Tim now felt safe and secure. And he knew that it wouldn’t have been right to make his new family leave after they had been together so long. They had all grown to love each other even though they were animals and he was a young boy. And all slept well this night. The end.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright forthcoming
Friday, June 5, 2009
Keep Smiling
Keep smiling when your sun isn't shining
When you feel like you want to cry
Lift up your pain to Jesus
It's one of the reasons he had to die
Keep smiling when life gets tough
It's through the rough times you learn
To lean on Jesus instead of yourself
For some of us it takes years to discern
Keep smiling when a friend lets you down
It's not because they don't care
Look beyond your disappointment
Get on your knees and say a prayer
Keep smiling because God loves you
He wants you to smile not frown
He sent his son Jesus for your joy and strength
Won't you pass the blessing around?
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
When you feel like you want to cry
Lift up your pain to Jesus
It's one of the reasons he had to die
Keep smiling when life gets tough
It's through the rough times you learn
To lean on Jesus instead of yourself
For some of us it takes years to discern
Keep smiling when a friend lets you down
It's not because they don't care
Look beyond your disappointment
Get on your knees and say a prayer
Keep smiling because God loves you
He wants you to smile not frown
He sent his son Jesus for your joy and strength
Won't you pass the blessing around?
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Grace and a Fishing Pole
Once upon a time, a preacher told his congregation a story about an English professor and a student. It seems the professor was wearing a hat in class this day and one of his students had a notion to throw a rock at him, to try and knock his hat off his head. Unfortunately, the student, in his aim, missed the hat and the rock hit the professor’s head. Instead of punishing the student for his actions toward him, the professor gave him a fishing pole. Then he asked him, “Do you know what grace is?” And the student said, “A fishing pole?” …And there was silence in the congregation…It was a sweet story and one worth pondering. He could have given him what he deserved, but he gave him what he needed. The student deserved to be punished, but he got grace. The professor showed the boy who Jesus was when he did that. That is why I like the story. The boy threw a rock. Stones were thrown in the Bible and Jesus is the rock. Isn’t that what Jesus did for us? He took our punishment on the cross and showed us the greatest act of grace, when he died a terrible death of crucifixion. When you die that way you suffocate to death. Every time you try to lift up your body to breathe, but you can’t breathe, therefore you suffocate. It had to have been an agonizing death. Jesus loved us that much. God came down from heaven in the form of a man Jesus and walked among us and paid our “sin debt” on a lonely cross. I love him so very much and I want to serve him for the rest of my life for what he did for me. Help me Jesus to keep my eyes on you always claiming the word over my life. Jesus said, “Greater things you will do in my name.” The professor did a great thing for the boy; he taught him the love of Jesus. Jesus, who never sinned, died for all sinners, the greatest act of grace and the unmerited favor and love of God. "It is finished," three words that mean so much. Jesus' work here on Earth was done. He came to die for us and our sins. What do we owe him? What should be our response? That is the ultmate GRACE...
(excerpt from my Bible journal, April 12, 2006)
(excerpt from my Bible journal, April 12, 2006)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Orchids and Love
I think of love to be like
an orchid blooming.
What begins as a tiny bud
builds in intensity
and grows in its fullness thereof,
then begins the flower
which opens slowly
with each petal yielding
to the light of day.
Then, all of a sudden,
without any notice,
the flower appears
in full bloom.
What could not be
seen with the eye
has happened with
the stroke of God's hand.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
an orchid blooming.
What begins as a tiny bud
builds in intensity
and grows in its fullness thereof,
then begins the flower
which opens slowly
with each petal yielding
to the light of day.
Then, all of a sudden,
without any notice,
the flower appears
in full bloom.
What could not be
seen with the eye
has happened with
the stroke of God's hand.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Love
People use the word love so loosely; with me it has a greater meaning. For me to love is to feel deeply for another. I don't take it lightly. When I open my heart and really love someone and show them with deep affection, I get hurt if I see it being treated casually. To me when two people really love each other it should be like taking care of a precious flower like a rose with just the right amount of nurturing and viewed in “awe” like it's really special, never taking it for granted. For when we take things for granted they wither and die just like a rose. It needs living water, light, nourishment and most especially treated with respect. A rose is a symbol of love. People place it in churches, in weddings, in hospitals, in funerals, on crosses; many times given to someone they love. If it's not treated with respect then it's just another flower among many others. So is the way of true love. It should stand out, be treated with respect. The way I feel is that I'd rather be alone as a rose than to be seen as just another flower. To me to love someone is to be in “awe” of them, with deep respect as one loves God. I believe in my heart that this kind of love does exist and it's the kind that I want before my life is over. I hope and pray that I will find it.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Chapel in my heart
There's a chapel in my heart
where I can always go and find rest
the pews are filled with angels
he calls them all blessed...
When life's troubles surround me
I only need close my eyes and go there
to the chapel in my heart
where he hears my every prayer...
I often sit and listen
to what he has to say
in the chapel in my heart
where I often pray...
And when I am rejoicing
in the Savior's love
I can go to the chapel in my heart
and be filled with his love...
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
where I can always go and find rest
the pews are filled with angels
he calls them all blessed...
When life's troubles surround me
I only need close my eyes and go there
to the chapel in my heart
where he hears my every prayer...
I often sit and listen
to what he has to say
in the chapel in my heart
where I often pray...
And when I am rejoicing
in the Savior's love
I can go to the chapel in my heart
and be filled with his love...
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
Monday, June 1, 2009
Have you ever met an angel?
Lynn, my sister was my angel. She taught me one of the most important lessons in her twenty-three years on Earth, to live life to the fullest, savoring every moment. She acquired kidney disease at the age of ten in 1969 and because little was known about the disease she was put on bed rest and left to die. But, Lynn had much more to teach us all and the Heavenly Father knew her mission was not complete. We found hope for her condition at Boston Children's Hospital where she would be one of the first dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients. My father was to be the donor in 1972. The kidney worked well for one year and then rejected. Then it was back to three times a week, four hours treatments, 120 miles round trip for the next several years. While I was attending high school, I would drive her to her treatments when I could, to help my mother out. I was a year ahead of her in school. I learned many lessons while being in the hospital at such a young age, one of them being what real strength is. One of Lynn's favorite bookmarks read "I am not afraid, God's love does away with my fears." She was so very close to the Lord and loved Jesus with all her heart. When she was young she sang in the cherub choir at church. Lynn attended high school; after school she had a tutor, Marie. She eventually asked her to baby-sit her two small children one of them she had named after Lynn. They became very close and stayed friends. There would be "Big Lynn and Little Lynn." The girls looked up to her. Even with a tutor it was stated that Lynn wouldn't graduate but she did and went on to a two year college, dialysis in between at a local hospital and she lived at the college dormitory making lots of new friends. She graduated with a degree in Aviation consumer management. She was so very happy through all of her life and never showed anyone her distress. One of her favorite things to do was to sit in her room and read or listen to music, usually the Carpenters, "Close to You" or "We've Only Just Begun," her special songs. She moved to the University of New Hampshire campus in Durham and found an apartment and lived on her own after college and being a seemingly normal existence, working at Montgomery Wards in the mall and was doing very well. She was dependent on the dialysis machine for more that half of her life, but that didn't stop her and she almost left us on several occasions. After waiting eleven years for a kidney she called me one day early in the morning to my apartment and said, "They found me a kidney." I've never heard such joy. This was to be the beginning of the end for her. She received a cadaver donor kidney from a motorcycle accident victim in April 1983 and was doing so very well. She had such a beautiful countenance; her face glowed in the radiance of an angel. A little over a month later, my mom came home and said Lynn was having some seepage from the kidney into the abdomen which would require surgery. This was the turning point in her recovery. My dad's only sister's daughter Desiree was to be getting married and it was suggested that I go and represent the family. On the way to the airport I said "Dad, could we go to the hospital and see Lynn before I catch my plane?" He said, "There is not enough time." I was never to see my sister alive again. During the week I was there, I felt an urgency to call the hospital, call it instinct, but I believe it to be divine. I asked to speak to my sister and then found out she was in at the intensive care unit. They put her on the phone and she sounded so weak, but she spoke to me and I am so grateful, as these were our last words together. I called home and asked my parents to tell me if Lynn was on the critical list. She had acquired a fungal infection and now was on antibiotics to try and make her well again. It was decided that Lynn would want me to be at the wedding and then to come home the next day. I returned Sunday and was driven straight to the hospital to see her lying there on the machines and unconscious. It was not the way I had left her. My other sister Brenda told me that I should hold her hand and she would speak to Lynn and tell her I was there. They say that hearing is the last sense to go when someone is dying, so I talked to her and played her favorite music on our next two visits. I remember carrying my Bible and searching for scriptures for comfort on the way to the hospital, all of us in the car on the way so quiet, not knowing what to say. My parent's anniversary was the day before. We feel now that Lynn waited to pass on. We left the hospital on that Monday night at 8:30pm and after being home only about an hour we were called by the attending nurse who told us Lynn had died peacefully in her sleep. I had gone to a friends to inform them that she was in stable condition. When I drove up to the house, and got out I heard hysterical crying and I knew right then what had happened. I'm sad that she's no longer with us on Earth but know that her spirit lives on. She had such joy before she left us. She got the gift of life, but now eternal life. I'll never forget her and what she taught me. She loved Jesus and the 23rd Psalm," The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." She didn't live in fear, but loved life and lived it to the fullest. Her purpose was fulfilled, to come here and teach many lessons, and touch souls for him our Heavenly Father. Her death changed my life. I will always be thankful for my sweet angel of a sister, Lynn (written 2002).
Postscript (written 2009)
When my sister died tragically at the age of 23, I cried for the first fifteen years. I began writing grieving poetry, like "Why, oh why did you have to die, and oh how it hurts to cry." And my heart hurt so. And even though I was raised in church and the seed of faith had been planted, it needed to grow. I didn't understand. And then one day, I heard on Christian radio, during a John MacCarthur broadcast (Grace to You) that when someone dies their spirit goes immediately into the presence of the Lord. And then I thought, why should I be sad, she's in a better place. And she suffered a lot. And years later, a professor taught us about the center, periphery and liminal space. And how one can be both. And I went home and pondered it deeply. And I applied that knowledge to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. And I drew a circle and put them all in their places, including angels. And I saw right then that God is everywhere and if my sister is with God and he is everywhere, then she is right with me because I love God too. And I do believe in angels and I think she was one. She loved deeply and while here taught others how to love. And love is always sacrifice. She went to be with the Lord and I love her, and I miss her, but I know that she is with me. I am not sad now. I see her face in the flowers, and I hear her voice singing in the cherub choir along with the birds. And when the sun sets, the colors remind me of her smile..
(In memory of my sister Lynn Janice Cloutier, 6/1/59-5/17/83)
This inspirational story is an excerpt from my chapbook titled, "Heartstrings," a collection of poems and stories.
Copyright © 2002 by Library of Congress
Postscript (written 2009)
When my sister died tragically at the age of 23, I cried for the first fifteen years. I began writing grieving poetry, like "Why, oh why did you have to die, and oh how it hurts to cry." And my heart hurt so. And even though I was raised in church and the seed of faith had been planted, it needed to grow. I didn't understand. And then one day, I heard on Christian radio, during a John MacCarthur broadcast (Grace to You) that when someone dies their spirit goes immediately into the presence of the Lord. And then I thought, why should I be sad, she's in a better place. And she suffered a lot. And years later, a professor taught us about the center, periphery and liminal space. And how one can be both. And I went home and pondered it deeply. And I applied that knowledge to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. And I drew a circle and put them all in their places, including angels. And I saw right then that God is everywhere and if my sister is with God and he is everywhere, then she is right with me because I love God too. And I do believe in angels and I think she was one. She loved deeply and while here taught others how to love. And love is always sacrifice. She went to be with the Lord and I love her, and I miss her, but I know that she is with me. I am not sad now. I see her face in the flowers, and I hear her voice singing in the cherub choir along with the birds. And when the sun sets, the colors remind me of her smile..
(In memory of my sister Lynn Janice Cloutier, 6/1/59-5/17/83)
This inspirational story is an excerpt from my chapbook titled, "Heartstrings," a collection of poems and stories.
Copyright © 2002 by Library of Congress
The Whisper of God
I sense a need to travel
to Loggerhead
and sit alone with only
my book to read
of post civil war-time folktales.
I sit here on a bench,
a donation of two strangers,
their names engraved on it.
I watch what seems to be
an angry ocean with a strong wind,
forcing the waves to crash the shoreline.
I find it strange at noon
the beach so desolate except
for a few sandpipers running about
on what is left of the sand.
I see the beach being washed away,
with every wave the shoreline eroding
but even in its midst,
pelicans fly by me, never alone
a group of five, then two.
The sight leaves me in awe
A flock of pigeons, ten in all
land in unison, in V formation.
Passersby greet me, and I them.
They all come in single file.
The last one came on a three wheel bike
with his cane in tow and a camera.
We talk and he tells me of his sorrows
and how an accident left him many years ago
unable to walk as he wished he could
a brain injury, no fault of his own,
and how the days are long
except for the taking of pictures
of birds sometimes from the pier.
I hear in his voice helplessness,
like the beach might feel
at the loss of its sand.
I listen and offer a word of hope.
It is at this moment
I hear the whisper of God,
and a mourning dove comes to rest
on a vine nearby.
A Bible verse comes to mind
of a healing at a pool.
I share of God's love for all, and
in this moment all nature is silent,
the waves have now hushed.
The young man gathers himself up
to leave, but this time he smiles
as he struggles to reach his bike.
I see the waves crash the shoreline
and the birds begin to fly, but mostly
a sense of calm, not there before.
I bow my head to pray
my soul is at peace once again.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
to Loggerhead
and sit alone with only
my book to read
of post civil war-time folktales.
I sit here on a bench,
a donation of two strangers,
their names engraved on it.
I watch what seems to be
an angry ocean with a strong wind,
forcing the waves to crash the shoreline.
I find it strange at noon
the beach so desolate except
for a few sandpipers running about
on what is left of the sand.
I see the beach being washed away,
with every wave the shoreline eroding
but even in its midst,
pelicans fly by me, never alone
a group of five, then two.
The sight leaves me in awe
A flock of pigeons, ten in all
land in unison, in V formation.
Passersby greet me, and I them.
They all come in single file.
The last one came on a three wheel bike
with his cane in tow and a camera.
We talk and he tells me of his sorrows
and how an accident left him many years ago
unable to walk as he wished he could
a brain injury, no fault of his own,
and how the days are long
except for the taking of pictures
of birds sometimes from the pier.
I hear in his voice helplessness,
like the beach might feel
at the loss of its sand.
I listen and offer a word of hope.
It is at this moment
I hear the whisper of God,
and a mourning dove comes to rest
on a vine nearby.
A Bible verse comes to mind
of a healing at a pool.
I share of God's love for all, and
in this moment all nature is silent,
the waves have now hushed.
The young man gathers himself up
to leave, but this time he smiles
as he struggles to reach his bike.
I see the waves crash the shoreline
and the birds begin to fly, but mostly
a sense of calm, not there before.
I bow my head to pray
my soul is at peace once again.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress
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