IN THE SILENCE
Rushing, roaring water
Speaks to me of
Better places,
wild and free
Cool, quiet woods –
Only the birds and insects speak,
And their incessant hum
Is a calming song
Waves of warm air
Billow like a curtain
Waiting for the sunset
To let in the coolness
Watch what you say –
This is a holy place
Where God meets man
In the silence
2012
How do you tell someone you love them
Though you don’t agree?
How do you show them gratitude
After all these years?
Will they trample on your love?
Crush it under their feet?
Will they say,
“Yes, I was right all along!” ?
How do you say a word
When you’ve been silent all these years?
HIS HEALING
Head hanging
Shoulders sagging
Couldn’t be bragging
About my mood
Soul searching
Heart hurting
Forever turning
To face a wall
Dawn breaking
Light changing
God saving
My empty soul
Joy filling
Heart thrilling
Restlessness stilling
He does it all
—– December, 2011
I really am a spoiled brat,
Lazy and I live on fat
Lots of money, lots of time,
Like to grumble, like to whine.
Though I’m better off than most,
Of my problems like to boast,
Like to grumble, like to whine,
For others’ problems have no time.
Need a dose of gratitude,
Need to get a better view,
Need to buckle down and work;
Not be such a lazy jerk.
Need a Savior Who can say,
“I love you, like you, anyway.”
Need to let His gracious love
Rain on me from up above.
When darkness falls,
Light hides His face,
It’s then you must
Lean on His grace.
Deny the lies
That come your way
Upon His cross
Your eyes must stay.
Rejoice that He
Has let you weep.
For suf’ring shows
His love so deep.
And should the sun
Break through the clouds,
A greater joy
He will allow.
CRUCIFIX
Lord, I know You rose from the dead;
You live in glory with Your Father.
But down here it seems
We haven’t heard the news
We’re still fussing and fighting
Darkness seems so enticing
We’re still bleeding down here
Won’t You please come near?
And He did
And He does
And He will
I know You overcame sin
And Your victory is sure
You triumphed over death
Our bonds you have broken
But we’re weak and afraid
Our messy beds we have made
Still thinking false thoughts
And the lies we have bought
We get stuck in our ruts
Wander far from Your ways
We’re still bleeding down here
Won’t You please come near?
And He did
And He does
And He will
I will look to Your cross
Where my soul You have bought
I will lift up my eyes
Keep my eyes on the prize
I will lift up Your name
Trust in You all the same
Though I still bleed sometimes
I have You by my side
And He loves
And He gives
And He walks beside us
January 10, 2013
To you who by the world ignored
I write these words, I you implore
Take heart, and do not be dismayed
Your time is coming; He’ll not delay
In glorious light He will appear
Heal every hurt, calm every fear
Repair all wounds, dry every tear
Your King is coming; He draws near
To little babes, who only moan
He hears your every cry and groan.
He sits not only on the throne
But with you stands; you’re not alone.
He knows you have no weapon strong,
He will prevail and right the wrong.
To those who cannot walk or speak
He knows your heart is hurting deep.
He’ll be your hands, your mouth, your feet.
To those abused, He knows your pain;
He is full strong, can stand the strain.
He only asks you lean on Him
Forgive the sinner, forgive the sin.
Like Mary, who behind the scenes
Endured her Son’s most agonized screams
We quietly our hearts entrust
To Him who never disappoints
Pieces of a Stained Glass Window
My life is in pieces
Which you intentionally broke
Like pieces for a stained glass window
Shattered my once solid illusions
Broke up my long-held,
Wrong-held
Beliefs
I’m breaking up
Cracking up
Shattering
In a brilliant white light
I’m falling
Will you catch me?
How did I come upon this place,
This foreign land of foreign tongue?
Strangers, strangers, everyone —
I don’t fit in and don’t belong.
He sent me to a foreign land
To people that I did not know
His goal I did not understand
I had to plant new roots and grow
Doubts and fears — they crowded in.
My faith was fragile, but survived.
Mistakes, delusions, sometimes sin;
And still He kept right by my side.
My soul was bitter; my way was hard.
But oft’ a glorious light broke through.
He sent companions to my side;
His friends and mine His love showed true.
And now I know His purpose great
His plan He had to orchestrate.
This life is not for foolish pride,
But that His name be magnified.
Heaven is my real home,
“The only goal,” I said three times,
And sent my children on their way
With blessings in the Father’s name.
And so life’s circle has come full:
The morning, noon, then day is done.
The life that from the darkness rose
Goes back to meet the Father’s Son.
Behind the Scenes
———————-
Quietly, behind the scenes
God’s love is working
As we dream.
We fuss, we fret;
Still He directs
The drama of our life’s events
Like a conductor
Does He lead
With perfect timing
Meets a need
Never early, never late
Life’s music He does orchestrate
What seems to be a tragedy
Though deeply sad, can really be
A door to further growth, you see
Though painful, it will to Him lead
clarakatalin 