Life Lessons

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Why

These poems just keep coming,
     I’m not for sure why.
They show up complete,
     I don’t really try.
While listening to God,
     they appear in my mind.
It’s not like I’m writing,
     it’s more like I find.
I think that His purpose
     is more than just one.
They help me, they help you,
     sometimes they’re just fun.

When you are discouraged
     and doubting God’s care.
Draw near as you trust Him
     and know that He’s there.
Perhaps He will show you
     in a way that is new.
His gifts and His mercy
     each day are for you.
And if you don’t get
     something you feel’s unique.
Don’t worry about it
     if God’s face you still seek.

Just use what He gives you
     in the way that you should.
Reach out and help others,
     every day do some good.
God isn’t worried
     if you can do what I do.
And He doesn’t call me
     to be just like you.
So please be encouraged
     with just who you are.
If your home is in heaven,
     you’re bound to go far!
©

Since these poems began showing up in my head a month ago, I’ve been asking myself “Why?” and “Why now?”.  I suppose God gave me this one tonight as part of the answers to those questions. I used to do quite a bit of short, devotional writing and really felt closely connected to God’s Spirit when we would work on those.  Then I went through a stretch of time where it often didn’t seem like I had time to breathe, let alone spend needed time with God.  I think the poems are a new thing to make sure I recognize that this is God’s gift and not simply a return to something that I thought I was good at.  I pray that you recognize and acknowledge God’s gifting in your life, then use it for His glory.

In prayer,
Tom

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Perception

I parted some water
     only last night.
It stacked up beside me,
     it was quite a sight.
I walked right between it,
     each side was a wall.
And I wasn’t too worried
     that either would fall.
Before you start thinking
     that I’ve lost my mind.
The water was frozen,
     it was the snowflake kind.

That may not seem funny,
     or maybe it does.
Our mind paints a picture
     of what is and what was.
And so very often,
     it is hard to see.
Anything different
     than I thought would be.
We’ve all heard some stories
     that just can’t be true.
At least ‘til we see them
     from a different view.

So when you do question
     a story that’s bold.
Look at it closely,
     see what really was told.
When we start to listen
     beyond “I am fine.”
We may just discover
     a valuable mine.
To understand others
     is quite a great gift.
Our world would be different
     if we all made this shift.

It will not be easy,
     I know it is hard.
Sometimes we get burnt
     and our spirit feels charred.
We don’t have to agree
     on every detail.
We still work together
     so neither will fail.
So when your perception
     fills you with much doubt.
Look from all angles
     as you figure it out.

Perception’s a problem
     when we start to pray.
It’s so very hard
     to see things God’s way.
We hold to His promise
     He said in His Word.
But sometimes the answer
     isn’t quite like we heard.
When you expect one thing
     and it’s not what you get.
Look at it from God’s view
     and you should be all set.
©

I was spending time with God this morning and thinking about the work I did last night clearing walks and realizing that it was water that was stacked up on either side of me — just not liquid yet.  This poem appeared in my mind as a look at the perceptions we have based on our understanding, often a one-sided understanding, of a person, an event, or even God. I pray that you constantly look at things from God’s perspective to give clarity to your perception.

In prayer,
Tom

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Differences

I like to drink coffee
      from my favorite cup.
 I add creamer and flavoring,
      then I fill it right up.
A couple of soft mints
      and ice cream is good.
But I still call it coffee,
      do you think that I should?
While I like to add things,
      some others do not.
They won’t call mine coffee,
      even though it is hot.

There are some people
      who are living out there.
They’ll take such a difference
      and let me know they care.
That’s not how they like it,
      so I must be wrong.
If I don’t agree
      then I do not belong.
While all this sounds silly,
      it happens too much.
When we disagree
      about style and such.

I’m not really writing
      about coffee per se.
But things that divide us
      almost every day.
Most of the issues
      that we try to face.
Would disappear quickly
      if we’re in the right place.
That place is not distant,
      very close I would say.
It’s wherever we are
      when we start to pray.

So as I drink coffee
      that’s all full of stuff.
Be happy I like it,
      don’t get in a big huff.
This gentle reminder
      is not just for you.
For I need to value
      the things that you do.
When all that is different
      is made into one.
The unity created
      will look like the Son!
©

 I came in from running the snow blower and clearing walks and as I made a cup of coffee, this poem appeared in my head.  No, I didn’t have ice cream in the coffee tonight but I did have vanilla caramel creamer, caramel coffee syrup, and two soft mints in it and it was delicious.   I pray that this poem is an encouragement and help to you so that when differences appear large, you would remember to pray.

In prayer,
Tom

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Stuck

I sit at my desk
     with a poem that is stuck.
It started to form,
     then it froze in the muck.
But that is okay,
     no reason to fret.
I keep listening to God,
     He’s not done with me yet.
The poems aren’t the real gift,
     this now I see.
God’s using them greatly
     as He calls to me.

God is the author
     who puts poems in my mind.
He calls me to Himself
     to see what I find.
This gift He has given,
     so what should I do.
I’ll collect them and type them
     and share them with you.
God likes to give good gifts,
     these poems I received.
If you had just told me,
     I may not have believed.

The real gift is greater
     and it’s not only mine.
To seek God’s face always
     is the gift that’s quite fine.
I pray that you seek Him
     and gaze on His face.
Enjoy the warmth always
     of His loving embrace.
And as you do listen
     on how you should live.
You’ll find that God loves you
     and to you He does give.

So when you consider
     the things that you’ve got.
Don’t think they’re your doing,
     of course, they are not.
So spend time with Jesus
     as you examine His gift.
Then look all around you
     to find someone to lift.
For the gifts God has given,
     quite out of the blue.
Are meant to serve others
     and not just for you.

That is my story
     as I sit here at home.
I need not be worried
     if my mind has no poem.
If my mind’s filled with Jesus,
     then that is the best.
If the poems do keep coming,
     I pray that you’re blest.
To share these poems with you,
     still seems kind of odd.
But when I am giving,
     I’m more like my God.
©

I had a poem start to form in my mind but when I went out to clear the driveway, it’s as if it just froze somewhere in there. When I came in and tried to “thaw if out”, I kept thinking about getting stuck. We don’t like getting stuck because it means, or at least feels like, we’re not going anywhere. God reminded me that even when I’m stuck He is there and He is more important than any gift or ability He has given. I pray that you actively seek God’s face during the times you feel stuck.

In prayer,
Tom

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Compassion

When life seems all wrong
     and nothing’s the same.
Most of the time
     we want someone to blame.
We look all around
     for who it could be.
I guess it is you
     ‘cause it sure isn’t me.
Yet when we step back
     and see that isn’t true.
We look up above
     and say, “God, I blame you.”

I have seen this happen,
     it might have been me.
It’s not that unusual,
     I think you’ll agree.
When we’re in the midst
     of what we don’t understand.
It’s hard to imagine
     that it all turns out grand.
One of the problems
     when we start to blame God.
We step away from
     His comforting rod.

If you are wondering
     from where did this come.
It happened this morning
     before the rising sun.
It was a big seizure,
     this I do know.
The pain and the anger
     needed somewhere to go.
The mind was not thinking
     as it normally would.
So it lashed out in anger
     at everyone that it could.

There wasn’t just anger,
     there was also remorse.
Back and forth it would go,
     driven along by some force.
For seizures do seize,
     that’s what they do best.
They take full control
     and then no one gets rest.
While it is not pretty
     to watch and endure.
Living like this
     is much harder, I’m sure.

Then there comes a moment
     when the mind starts to click.
“I really do need help
     for I am so sick.”
And it didn’t matter
     whether angry or sad.
Our love was still given
     because we’re mom and dad.
We do what we can do
     and pray for the best.
And know there’s a day
     that we all will find rest.

In case you are wondering,
     about all of this.
I pray that you’re listening
     and the point you don’t miss.
We all have our moments
     when we’re out of control.
We really need someone
     who can help make us whole.
That will come and just hold us,
     and quietly say.
“My child I am with you,
     with you I will stay.”
©

As I was praying for Susan this morning following a major early morning seizure, this poem showed up in my mind so I collected it to share. Many times, I think that Susan’s seizures gives me an insight into God’s immense love and compassion for me, and for you, when we are seized by the control of selfishness, desire, substances, sin, and the evil one. We often lash out at God and even in the midst of our lashing out, He is trying to draw us near to comfort and protect us. I pray that this poem helps you in your pursuit of God and in your letting God make you whole when something that is not of Him has seized your life.

In prayer,
Tom

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Listening Times

The temp was at zero
      as far as I know.
But the wind, it was blowing,
      felt like twenty below.
I bundled in layers
      to clear off the walk.
And as I was shoveling
      I let God’s Spirit talk.
There were no distractions,
      no one else was there.
It was great God and me time
      and I felt His great care.

There’s times we don’t feel like
      the things we must do.
At least that is me,
      I don’t know about you.
In all of those moments
      I do have a choice.
I can spend the time grumbling
      or hearing God’s voice.
The day goes much better
      if I stop to hear.
God’s calming message
      that He is always near.

I pray that you listen
      to the words of this poem.
That you listen to God
      both at work and at home.
And as you are hearing
      what God wants to say.
All things are different
      when God leads the way.
So whatever you’re doing,
      whether happy or not.
Let God walk right with you
      He’s there on the spot!
©

While it was bitterly cold as I cleared walks this morning, it was a good listening time as I opened my heart and mind to God.  In doing so, He put this poem in my mind so I could share it when I came in.  . . . Now to find that hot tub.   I pray that you continually grow in listening to God in any and all circumstances.

In prayer,
Tom

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Fitness Training

To get into shape,
     I thought I would try.
So I packed up my bag
     and I went to the Y.
When I did get there,
     to the pool I did go.
The hot tub was pleasant,
     the swimming, so-so.
I swam one whole pool length
     and then I swam back.
They said to keep going
     then I might get on track.

So I kept on going
     but I’m pretty sure.
Not all of me liked it,
     what I had to endure.
A life that’s been easy
     for most of a year.
Has been hard on my body,
     of that I do fear.
So I’ll keep on going,
     I won’t let it rest.
Then my level of fitness
     will be at its best.

As I do consider
     the shape that I’m in.
Something’s more important
     than if I’m fat or I’m thin.
My soul’s great deep longing,
     its searching for God.
I work on it daily
     as I’m walking this sod.
My heart’s big desire
     is God I would know.
That His presence lives through me
     wherever I go.

So as I keep working
     so I’ll be more fit.
Part of my routine
     is with God I’ll just sit.
To condition the body
     and exercise well.
Has a noticeable value
     that most people can tell.
And my spiritual training,
     I really do pray.
Makes my life look like Jesus
     each and every day.
©

I went to the Y today to work on my physical condition and God placed this poem in my mind this evening as I spent time with Him working on my spiritual condition. I pray that His name is glorified through my life and that these words help you in your pursuit of a vibrant relationship with God through His Son, Jesus.

In prayer,
Tom

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Childhood Joy

Some time ago
     when I was a boy.
The simplest things
     would bring me great joy.
It didn’t take much
     to fill up my time.
I’d work on the farm
     or play in the slime.
It didn’t matter
     if work or if play.
Being a family
     had value each day.

We did not have much
     but we had each other.
My brothers and sister,
     my dad and my mother.
We worked really hard,
     we played just the same.
We even decided
     chores could be a game.
The things that we lacked,
     I could not even tell.
We had what we needed,
     we really lived well.

The things that we had
     that many did lack.
Was a house full of love
     and even some slack.
I always had value,
     even when I did wrong.
In my own family
     I would always belong.
I cannot imagine
     how different I’d feel.
If my growing up
     was anything but real.

Now I fast-forward
     through quite a few years.
Years full of blessing
     and even some tears.
And while I am wiser
     or older, at least.
Sometimes the joy’s gone,
     eaten up by the beast.
You may never see it
     but the beast is out there.
Stealing contentment,
     thinking no one will care.

I’m not all that different
     from days long ago.
Joy fills my life
     through the people I know.
The value they give me
     by what they do say.
Is the mark of a good friend,
     in work and in play.
I pray that these lessons,
     I learned as a boy.
Would lead to contentment
     and fill you with joy.
©

As I was spending time with God, reflecting on joy and contentment, He reminded me that I often look for both of those in all the wrong places. We are often taught in so many ways that the stuff we accumulate should bring us great joy. When joy doesn’t come we may decide we simply need more stuff. God took me back to my childhood that was filled with great joy even though we didn’t have a lot of possessions. It is a lesson I need to be reminded of often and I pray that it is a reminder that is helpful to you.

In prayer,
Tom