Work in progress

I wrote this one after doing some star gazing last week. It's not finished yet but here's what I've got so far.

Stop looking down child,
From where you are – 5 foot 6 above the ground
And all you can see
Is yourself
And the bumps in the road ahead.

Stop looking down child,
But turn your gaze heavenward,
Turn your face to the One who gives you life,
And the One who knows your path.

Stop looking down child,
Placing yourself as the head of your life
But remember
I AM

Stop looking down child,
And remember that acquiring riches
Is like grasping for the wind
But I am your solid rock.

Stop looking down child,
Let the light of the stars kiss your cheeks,
Let my strong hands guide your feet,
And let the wind of my spirit blow through your life.

Stop looking down child,
Look intently to me,
Let the clouds that block the stars always remind you
That I am your strength.
These clouds too will pass,
But I will stay the same.

Lost For Words

I am spectacularly, wonderfully
Lost for words
You amaze me, astound me
Take my breath away
I am lost in Your presence
And now I understand
My life is nothing more than Your story
I live for nothing less than Your glory
I am lost to myself
You indwell me, live through me
You do all things for Your glory alone
I have died to myself
So that You can live through me
It’s not about me
It’s for You
For Your glory!

For such a time as this

Maybe it’s time for a redefinition
A time for a difference, a change of position
I’ve been placed here, brought here, given a mission
For such a time as this

Do I stand? Do I shout? Do I fall to my knees?
Should I change my perspective? Should I aim just to please?
On one side is the world, telling me ‘stay’
On the other, a new voice saying, ‘lead the way’

I am insignificant, a small part to play
Lost and confused, I shouldn’t be here today
I am but a child, straining, reaching for hope
How can I be expected to carry this load?

Maybe it’s time for a redefinition
Time for a difference, a change of position
I’ve been placed here, brought here, given a mission
For such a time as this

The cares of the world: hunger, war and injustice
Does it really matter what this one child says?
The children unborn are all counting on me
Amongst all these voices, with whom to agree?

The weight of a people, the burden of a friend
How can I hope to make a difference in the end?
Low expectations, low standards, a difficult climb
I can break the cycle, one prayer at a time

Maybe it’s time for a redefinition
Time for a difference, a change of position
I’ve been placed here, brought here, given a mission
For such a time as this

Natania's Cookies

Baking cookies
On a hot and humid day.
The wind is blowing,
A storm is coming.
Standing over the mixing bowl.


Tiny hands reach up,
Are they ready yet?
Come help me make these cookies!


Baking cookies
On a hot and humid day.
The sky is darkening,
Doors are blowing.
Mixing chocolate chips in.


Tiny fingers
Wrap around the wooden spoon.


Baking cookies
On a hot and windy day.
In the distance
Thunder crashes.
Placing cookies on a tray.


Chocolate covered face
Licking the spoons.


Baking cookies
On a hot and rainy day.
The clouds break,
Rain pours down.
Watching at the oven door.


Eager eyes, eager tummy,
Waiting for a yummy snack.


Baking cookies
On a hot and humid day.
Rain pours,
Lightning flashes.
Placing cookies on the cooling racks.


Tiny feet jumping
Up and down,
Can I taste one?


Eating cookies
On a hot and humid day.
Watch the rain,
Watch the lightning!

Eating fresh baked cookies.

The Lord's Prayer

When I said “Your will be done”
I didn’t mean it
My mind asked for what was good
But my heart longed for what I don’t know

When I said “My daily bread”
I didn’t mean it
My mind asked for what was right
But my heart yearned for so much more

When I say “Take it all”
I mean it
Take my mind I can’t control
Take my heart that’s growing cold
Take my life that I can’t hold together

Fallen

Just when I thought
I had all the answers
I’m suddenly left
With nothing but questions
Just when I thought
I was I was winning the war
I’m suddenly knocked
To the floor, to my knees

Chorus
But you pick me up
And you dust me off
And you stand me up again
Because I’ll never learn to stand
If I don’t fall and get up again

Just when I thought
What I thought was true
I’m suddenly left
With a battle to lose
Just when I thought
My armour was strong
I’m suddenly knocked
To the floor, to my knees

Chorus
But you pick me up
And you dust me off
And you stand me up again
Because I’ll never learn to stand
If I don’t fall and get up again

Just when I thought
I was standing on the shore
I’m suddenly in
Way over my head
Just when I thought
I knew what was right
I’m suddenly knocked
To the floor, to my knees

Chorus
But you pick me up
And you dust me off
And you stand me up again
Because I’ll never learn to stand
If I don’t fall and get up again

Bridge
When I fall, I know
You catch me
Gently hold me

Rugged Colors

This Poem was published in
"The Sherbrooke Record"
on December 17th, 2007

No scarlet silk,
No green satin,
A Baby born
In the world’s sin.

No silver coins,
No golden ring,
No luxury
For this young King.

Rugged colors
Surround the King,
And lowly men,
With joy they sing.

For unto them
A Child is born,
A King to bear
The world’s scorn.

No royal green,
No purple hues,
No noble red,
No subtle blues

But still the King
Chose to come down
From streets of gold,
To paths of brown.