Scull Those Mighty Waves

Photo by National Historical Museum of Sweden (NHM) on Unsplash

There are very few things in this life that we really can control,
And yet we try to hold things still wherever we may go.
“Do not rock the boat!” they say. “We don’t want it to sink!”
But a becalmed boat is dangerous, and leads us to the brink
Of dangers that might be far worse than if the boat should sink!

A boat that’s stuck without the wind, no motor to make it go,
Will reach no destination, and even if they row,
The crew may be too far from land to find food on which to feed,
And unless the sky provides it, there will be no water, which they need.
And though they won’t get sea sick – becalmed boats to nowhere lead.

But what if mighty winds blow? And the waves are big and tall?
Will they not fall upon our boat, which seems so very small?
And won’t we sink? Is there no way to control the mighty sea?
Are we really at its mercy? We must really let it be?
How then in such a mighty wind are we ever to be free?

A sailor can assure you there are things that you can do.
To scull those mighty waves with grace and get you safely through.
You must not aim right at the waves, for surely you will sink.
And if you run away from waves, they will do just as you’d think,
And they will land hard on your boat, and that will make it sink.

When you scull a wave you honor the fact that the wave is really big.
And you angle your boat across the wave, it’s the surest way to live.
Just like you can’t eat an elephant, in one giant bite,
You cannot face a giant wave head on and win the fight.
Stay calm heading into the wind at the angle that is right.

You do control the sails and rudder that direct your boat
And zig zagging the waves is really helping you to float.
In storms there is not time for you to clean the galley or the deck.
The storms will calm and you will find that you avoided a nasty wreck.
And then you have a moment to maintain the ship, and deck.

So when the winds are steady, taking you along your way.
And leading you so quickly to the place you hope to stay.
Give thanks but mind the boat, making sure you give it care.
For when the waves come rushing in and the wind’s no longer fair,
You will need the boat to carry you zig zag across the waves.
And you will find out, after all, that you are strong and brave.

I Am The One That Jesus Loves

Picture via churchofjesuschrist.org

I am the one that Jesus loves;

The reason that He came.

He really wants me to choose Him,

And live with Him again.

I am the one that Jesus loves.

I am close to His heart.

He created the beauty of this Earth,

Of which I am a part.

I am the one that Jesus loves.

He sees the good in me.

He loves the person that I am

And who I’m meant to be.

I am the one that Jesus loves

And so I walk with Him.

I am the one that Jesus loves

I will live with Him again.

*I really believe that I am the one that Jesus loves -- and so are you!

I Praise My Creator

Picture by Kayli

I’ve watched clouds making patterns as they ride through the sky,

And felt soft summer breezes that hold memories of time.

I’ve held babies that came straight from heaven above,

And I’ve felt of Your goodness and basked in Your love.

I give praises to Thee for the beauty of Spring

And for birds flying by with the wind under wing.

There are rainbows in sunshine and the fresh smell of rain

And a hug from a friend that brings peace amidst pain.

I smell pine from the forest and hear water rush through.

Bees are buzzing on flowers in the fresh morning dew.

The mornings feel warm after winter is past

And we are thankful that Spring has arrived here at last.

Waves rush in with the foam riding high on their tips

Rushing high on the sand – taking back little bits

Of sea shells and rocks and some swirling sand

As I sit there in awe from a small piece of land.

The sea birds are diving and flying about

There is joy in the wind from a child’s happy shout.

Sail boats with majesty split through the waves,

And days at the beach are magical days.

In summer the sun rises high with the heat

And a cold glass of water is heaven to drink.

The flowers are blooming, the air smells of cut grass

And it’s good to take time to watch clouds flowing past.

The air starts to get cool as summer days wane

We praise thee for the sunshine, and also for rain.

There are loud claps of thunder after light splits the sky.

There are powerful winds that blow Autumn leaves by.

We hike through a forest and hear the leaves crunch.

We enjoy the nice weather and a great picnic lunch.

We harvest the fruit and the vegetables too.

In Fall there is always plenty to do.

There are hayrides and pumpkins and tasty fruit pie.

There is fresh apple cider, and friends walking by.

There are gathering where we express gratitude,

And a good thankful day always lifts up our mood.

The world slowly turns brown until winter is here

It’s the land’s time to rest from a bountiful year.

I’ve seen winter turn brown to a magical world

And I’ve stood there in awe at the beauty unfurled.

The darkness is long, but the fire is warm

And we celebrate the day that Jesus was born.

We use stars to count blessings, and keep family near

And we take time to listen and create with good cheer.

We play games with the family and with our friends too.

Sledding and skiing, outside things to do.

Then we wrap up in blankets and wear cozy socks

And enjoy quiet time to read, or just talk.

There is kindness and love. There is sorrow and pain.

There is joy in the journey. The light will shine again,

I praise my creator, the Lord Most High,

The Light and the Love of the Earth and the Sky.

He is Ruler of all, the King of the world.

The Creator of all of the beauty unfurled.

My Savior, Redeemer, my Helper and Friend.

I praise my Creator for His love that won’t end.

When...I Love You

I feel different every day and so it helps if I hear you say 

I love you. I love you. 

You are beautiful today. 

And when I cry it helps when you hold me close 

Whispering, 

I’m so sorry you are feeling sad. 

Remember crying does not make you bad. 

I love you. I love you. 

I’m so glad that you are mine. 

And when I laugh and you laugh too 

My joy is magnified by you. 

And when your words make me laugh along, 

I often feel like a happy song. 

I love you. I love you. 

Your smile helps me to find mine too. 

And when your life feels weighted down, 

And all you want to do is frown and be alone.

It helps if you come seek me out 

Just wanting me to be with you – alone, and quiet. 

Together.  United as you seek relief in your own way. 

As you walk by the place I am, 

I love when you reach out your hand and touch me softly 

To let me know that I am seen. 

This lets me know that you seek me, 

No matter where,

And that you care. 

When we walk together into a room, 

and I feel your hand on the small of my back, 

I close my eyes with pleasure, 

Feeling secure that you are there. With me. 

And that you claim me as yours. 

I make many mistakes and some hurt you, 

but I hope I say I’m sorry too! 

Then I hope to hear you say, 

I love you, I love you. 

I love you more each day 

And am really thankful you choose to stay. 

When you say I am sorry when you don’t get it right, 

I hear “I love you with all my might. 

You are Precious to me. 

My treasure. 

I love you.”

Grief

 Written for a friend

May 2018 in Salt Lake City

Grief

Grief can be so heavy

And so hard to bear

That it's odd when others

Cannot see it there.

Sometimes grief sinks down so deep

We think it's there to stay.

We wonder if we will

Be glad again one day.

Our loved ones are remembered,

And we miss them so.

We often feel hollow inside

No matter where we go.

Then one day through the darkness

A little light gets in.

And a little joy peaks through.

It will come again!

It goes away, then comes again

More quickly every day.

And you start to feel that peace

Until it's there to stay.

Our loved ones are remembered

And we miss them so,

But we carry happy memories

Everywhere we go.

And things they did that hurt us,

Or pains from long ago,

Are calmed by our dear Savior

Loving you more than you know.

And if some pain or sorrow

Rise up now and then.

You can pray to Father

And peace will come again.

The World Is Against Me?

Photo by sebastien rosset on Unsplash

The world is against me.  How do I know?

As I walked down the sidewalk I stubbed my toe.

Then I tripped on a branch.  Fell.  And skinned my knee.

And to top it all off I got stung by a bee!

I yelled really loudly and started to cry

And, of course, that is when a man walked by.

I was so embarrassed my face turned red

And I started to wish I had stayed in bed.

But I took a deep breath and wiped my face

And walked down the road at a slower pace.

The world is against me? No.  It's alright.

Things could be seen in a different light.

As I walked down the sidewalk I stubbed my toe

Which, just for a while, had me walking slow.

So when I got to the corner I saw a friend

Who when she saw me really grinned.

We had not talked in a few years,

And seeing her brought happy tears.

As I went on my way my eyes were wet

From seeing a friend I was glad I had met.

I did not see the branch that made me trip.

And I did skin my knee (but I didn't flip!).

And while on the ground I saw a flower

Growing up through the sidewalk -- amazing power!

I plucked it so I'd have a bit of Spring

To carry with me.  A happy thing!

Then I sniffed that flower, while failing to see

That right on the flower was a stinging bee!

I yelled in frustration and started to cry

And that is just when the man walked by.

I was embarrassed and turned really red

And I really did wish to be back in bed.

I wish I could say the man saved the day

But he really just chuckled and walked away.

I could see just enough to glare at his back.

Which was carrying on it a big back pack.

I happened to be headed the same way as him

And as I looked at the pack I started to grin.

For there on the top was a stinging bee

Looking just like the one that had gotten me.

Should I warn him or not?  I'll let you decide.

I just saw a friend I can ask for a ride.

The world is against me?  Maybe it's true.

Or maybe there are ups and downs in all we do.

We Go

I didn't know what to name the poem, or what poem worked with it
and so here is a random deer:-)

I smile, but the tears come

I laugh, though I'm blue

I cry, when I sit here

Thinking of you.

I walk, in the sunlight

I sit, in the dark

I hide, in the shadows

Inside my heart

Time passes, though slowly

It goes, yet it stays

My dreams, they don't help me

Through these long days

It's hard, when hard times come

It's good, when they don't

We live, and our life goes

Problems, they won't

We go, oft together

We go, times apart

We go, and I love you

With all my heart.