mind

by

A Look Inside

Sometimes I wonder
     just how life would be.
If people around me
     could see what I see.
For good or for bad –
     could go either way.
There’s always a reason
     I say what I say.

My mind’s always thinking,
     I can’t make it rest.
It looks for the answers
     that always are best.
I wish I could say
     they always are found.
But some days I’m lost,
     just wandering around.

I’ve learned to examine
     these thoughts in my mind.
To see if their truth,
     in God’s Word I find.
If they don’t measure up,
     I know they’re not true.
They’re just random thoughts
     from out of the blue.

While something within me
     does long to be heard.
So often I’m silent,
     not saying a word.
For fear does take over,
     I’ve seen it before.
What if I speak and
     the response is ignore?

It’s happened too often,
     at least in my past.
The decisions are made
     before I’m even asked.
The pain is too great
     to think no one cares.
So my thoughts stay with me
     and they can keep theirs.

There is a problem
     with a conclusion like this.
To learn from each other
     too often we miss.
To speak and to listen
     are both hard to do.
Perhaps one for me
     and perhaps one for you.

So we make every effort,
     the bonds of peace to maintain.
Through the power of the Spirit
     and the Lamb that was slain.
We look at each other
     as a creation of God.
We may be unique
     but we’re surely not odd.

God has a purpose
     for someone like me.
I hold to this truth
     even if I can’t see.
He also has purpose
     for someone like you.
You’re His creation
     so I know this is true.

So when we differ
     in how we perceive.
Find our common ground
     in the One we believe.
Since we both have value
     that’s given from above.
Our response to each other
     should always be love.

© 2015 by Tom Lemler

I’ve been in the church building this evening cleaning and then waiting for some meetings to finish up so I can finish getting the building ready for tomorrow. As I waited, I went outside to walk the trails and spend time with God where this poem showed up in my mind. If I allow my mind to dwell in the past too long, it seems like I can find far too many times when I’ve tested the waters of speaking my mind or making my desires known only to end up with the feeling of being rejected as my requests are declined or I’m moved out of roles so they can be filled by someone with better credentials or pedigree. I’m not sure why God gave me this poem other than to offer the readers a glimpse into my mind — scary place that it is. 🙂 I pray that God uses it for His purposes and His glory.

In prayer,
Tom

by

Battleground

I have a foe
      that lives close to me.
So very close,
      sometimes I don’t see.
If I would just look,
      it’s not hard to find.
 For this kind of foe
      does live in my mind.
It hides in the corners
      and lurks in the dark.
If I don’t pay attention,
      it sure leaves its mark.

Some of the enemies
      I make on my own.
Others arrive from
      some seeds that were sown.
My mind holds to memories,
      both good and the bad.
And some that do linger,
      will still make me sad.
The good’s often hidden,
      and kept out of sight.
The bad steps right up
      and takes a big bite.

I see people talking
      and think of the past.
My mind starts to wonder,
      can these good times last?
I think there are people
      who, much like me.
They have a hard time
      living as free.
They’ve not felt much value,
      they may be cast out.
They look o’er their shoulder,
      and live with much doubt.

I know, for I’ve been there;
      and still do reside.
With a mind that remembers
      and keeps things inside.
God gives me these poems,
      and He helps me to see.
That the things of the past,
      today may not be.
The way people see me,
      is not my concern.
My faith has more value
      than what I do earn.

In times that are hard,
      and jobs that did end.
I’ve always had present,
      an eternal friend.
This friend that is with me,
      is greater indeed.
Than all of my struggles,
      and all of my need.
He’s so much greater,
      than I’ll ever know.
He is the true One,
     that has defeated my foe.
So when I have doubt
      and fear moves on in.
I trust in my Savior,
      for I know He will win.

The power within in me
      is really my choice.
Do I listen to truth,
      or the enemy’s voice?
I have a promise,
      that God Himself made.
Because He is with me,
      I need not be afraid.
For His presence in me,
      leaves no room for doubt.
He fills up my being,
      so the foe must move out.
©

God has blessed me greatly and He continues to help my faith to grow through reminders of some of what He has carried me through.  I was thinking this morning about how far God has brought me and some of the struggles I still have and in the midst of this time with God, He gave me this poem.  I pray that it encourages you to seek God when the foe in your mind wants to take charge.

In prayer,
Tom