It’s raining redwood seeds
and flocks of geese
dance noisily over my head.
Cool night air, alive with life,
comes through my window;
it smells so fertile.
No snow as yet,
and better yet,
the rain may come.
The promise of rain
is teasing us.
If rain will come,
the earth will bloom again —
and so my heart.
[On the passing of my friend Martha]
Goodbye, my friend,
Until we meet again.
When sorrow runs its painful course,
There will be joy again.
Goodbye, my friend,
Who bravely bore your pain,
Who wandered earth in brokenness
And still could wear a grin.
Goodbye, my friend,
Sometimes I hardly knew
What went on, inside your mind
Or what you had been through.
Goodbye, my friend —
We didn’t see eye to eye
On many things, but still it seems
In gardens we could smile.
Goodbye, my friend;
We’ll meet again someday.
Your body healed, our friendship sealed,
And love will ever stay.
Wandering through this globe;
Don’t really have a home.
But — still, I do;
I know it’s true —
That heaven’s my real home.
Can’t settle anywhere;
No place without a care.
I must let go;
Yes, I must know
That God is everywhere.
Can’t seem to find my place.
I need a lot more grace.
A vagabond
Must be so strong
And keep on running the race.
[9/9/2015]
[Written during a trip to Europe, during the 2015 refugee crisis]
As I ride down the metro escalator,
Hundreds of faces look up,
Going the other direction.
Each face has a story —
Joys and sorrows
Unknown to me.
What is going on
Behind each face?
As I read the newspaper
Thousands of refugees
Are crossing borders.
Each face has a story —
Joys and sorrows
Unknown to me.
What is going on
Behind each face?
May every face
Find peace
In their own heart.
May every face
Be willing
To give peace to others.
[9/6/2015]
[A composite of my experiences and others’]
People bustling —
Sounds of a crowd.
Little babies
Crying out loud.
All of humanity
Compressed in one space.
A microcosm
Of our human race.
Flights delayed —
Sleep on the floor.
Jet lag had me
Run into a door.
As a matter of fact,
The food turned out great.
People were friendly
Even though late.
Air conditioning —
Incredible blessing.
Otherwise,
There’d be more stressing.
Many languages,
People of the globe.
Many faces,
And languages told.
And over it all
The Lord of the earth
Is watching each one,
And gives each one worth.
[8/21/2015]
Do you feel like you’re a hopeless case? That no matter what you do, you can’t do it right? That no matter what, your circumstances will never improve? THEN REJOICE!
WHAT ?!?!?!
Yes, I said “REJOICE!” Because God delights in rescuing and healing hopeless cases. Some examples:
1) The Israelites were stuck between Pharoah’s army and the Red Sea with nowhere to escape. BUT GOD, through Moses, parted the Red Sea waters, led the Israelites through, and then let the waters return to their place, drowning Pharoah’s soldiers (Exodus 14).
2) Naaman, not even a believer at the time, and stricken with leprosy, followed the advice of a young Jewish servant girl and visited Elisha, who instructed him how to be healed, and he was (2 Kings 5:1-19).
3) When Elisha and his servant were surrounded by an enemy army, God sent an army of angels to rescue them. Elisha had to ask God to allow his servant to be able to see the army. (2 Kings 6:15-19)
6) Moses, although murdering someone in anger, eventually became the person who led the Israelites out of Egypt. (Exodus 2:11-15)
7) David, though having committed adultery and indirect murder, repented and was “a man after God’s heart.” (Acts 13:22)
8) A woman who had had five husbands, and living with a sixth man, had a deep encounter with Jesus. (John 4:1-30, 39-42)
9) Mary Magdalene who had had seven demons, was healed by Jesus (Mark 16:9)
So, pray that God will show you how to allow Him to change your heart and be willing to receive Him.
Blackberries bursting
On briarly bushes.
The sun beams so bright,
Her eyelids it pushes.
The bees they are buzzing,
The butterflies bright,
The flowers are splashing —
A glorious sight.
Picturesque painting,
The colors of nature.
She laughs and she dances;
The glory-day makes her.
A song she is singing,
Her soul it takes flight.
When sunshine is happy,
She laughs in delight.
I didn’t sign up
For this lousy trip.
First Class was promised –
“Third Class” says my ticket.
Sunny skies predicted;
It’s started to storm.
Lots of companions?
Not at all; I’m forlorn.
Friendly co-travelers?
Instead I get abuse.
A smooth, easy road?
I say, “What’s the use?”
But on the horizon
I now see a sign —
The blue skies are coming,
The happier times.
The road — It’s what you make it;
The load — It can be shared.
The weather? You can take it.
Rain or sun? — Just be prepared.
Companions or foes –
Could it be my choice?
Just listen as you travel
And hear a still, small voice.
Believe in the seed
Though all seems stark and bare,
Though evil seems to take control,
His love will crush despair.
Believe in realms as yet unseen,
Where life is growing, yet unbirthed,
Is reaching toward the light to be,
A seedling breaking through the earth.
Believe, though all around confess
Their doubts and fears, their many tears.
Believe, though barren earth is dry —
Refreshing rains will drought deny.
Believe in the Son,
Though hidden just for now,
He, like the sun, will soon return,
And make all well somehow.
clarakatalin 
OUR Father
Isn’t it amazing that we can call God OUR Father! Along with Jesus, who was sinless, we are allowed the privilege of calling His Father, OUR Father in heaven. We can walk with Jesus, looking up to the same Father!
Among my mother’s belongings, after her death, I found a little slip of paper with the following typewritten words, which inspired me to write the words above:
“Pride says ‘Look how great I am,’ and then runs ahead of God.
Despair says, ‘Look how awful I am,’ and then runs away from God.
Humility says, ‘Look at the greatness of my Father,’ and then walks with God.
Sometimes I need to ask myself, ‘Which child of God am I?’ “
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