There is Hope Every Day

A blast from the past.  My family in 2009 while visiting Nauvoo, Illinois.

(This is a song I wrote for my children)

There is Hope Every Day

Children of mine, here's a song just for you

A song from your mother, I love you, I do.

These are the things that I want you to know

At all times and all of the places you go.

You have a Father in heaven divine.

You were His child, before you were mine.

He knows your name and all you can be,

And loves you a lot, even better than me.

Father sent you here to become just like Him

He knows us all well, and He knew we would sin.

It takes lots of practice to get things just right,

We'd need to be perfect to get back to His light.

We need a perfect body and to not do things wrong.

The way would seem hard, and the journey seem long.

It would be hopeless but we have a brother,

Who loves you more surely than even your mother.

He came and He suffered for every mistake

That all of His brothers and sisters would make.

He did it so we could get better each day.

He did it so we would all know the way.

When you fall down He won't give up on you.

We'll get back to Father through all He did do.

He was resurrected, so you will be too

With a perfect body, a free gift to you.

So when life feels heavy, or you're feeling sad.

When you're feeling broken, or think you are bbad.

When you've lost a loved one, and your heart seems sore.

When you think that you cannot take anymore.

When friends don't seem friendly, and you feel alone,

When you want to just laugh, but it comes out a moan.

Here are the things that I want you to know,

Every time and in all of the places you go.

Chorus:

There is hope every day.

There's a light for your way.

There is love that won't end.

There is a perfect friend.

There is help when you fall.

Father hears when you call.

Jesus came just for you,

And I love you too.

Everything is About Family

 

Photograph by Connor
My family

Our story begins with love.

It fills us so full of joy that we feel like we're flying;

Soaring around in the heavens above.

Yes, our story begins with love.

We were touched by this love in a home full of light

Before earth was created, and days turned to nights.

We were loved by our parents and we plainly could see

That the love was all about family.

When oceans meet shores

And water meets sand

When mountains reach sky

And peace fills the land

If you stop for a moment

You'll be able to see

That everything is about family.

When rain pours on plains

And the trees reach up tall

When the lands produce grains

And the clear waters fall

If you stop for a moment

You'll be able to see

That everything is about family.

When we look at the earth

Majesty everywhere

When we witness a birth

It is wondrous and fair

For our God made it all

He's our Father, you see.

He made it all for His family.

We could hear His words

And see His face

And we all lived together

In that wondrous place.

Kneeling in the Sun

Photo by Kacper Szczechla on Unsplash

 Kneeling in the Sun

In pain, and weary from the cares of the day

I went to my room and knelt down to pray.

And though it was winter, I knelt in the sun,

And felt Heavenly Father and His Holy Son

Fill me with comfort, warmth, and peace.

And as I knelt there I imagined a vine

Growing and twisting up around my spine

And holding me up as it reached for the sky

In the warmth of the sun, with a breeze blowing by

And its nourishment came from the gospel of peace.

And though I felt weak -- hopeless by myself.

My Father above gladly send me His help

And there in the warmth I felt I was at home

Given care, and comfort, I did not feel alone.

But wrapped up in God's love I felt comfort and peace.

My Mother

 

My Mom and Me

Mother

When the clouds roll in,

And the thunder booms,

And the storm is black as night;

I remember the strength of my mother

Standing firm through the storms of life.

When the sun shines down,

And the flowers bloom,

And the sky is blue and fair;

I remember my Mother's smiling face,

And her tender, loving care.

When the colorful leaves

Fall to the ground

And cover the forest floor;

I think of myself covered by the gift

Of my Mother's love, and more.

When the snow is deep,

And the land is cold,

And the fire shines its light;

I remember the warmth of my Mother

Steadily teaching me what is right.

So in every season

Of every year,

Whether skies are gray or blue;

I can look outside and remember

My wonderful Mother -- you.

Standing in the Sun

 

Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash

Standing in the Sun

How do I find some joy today?

How can I see morning lights first ray,

When it seems that the clouds are thick and deep?

Where is the peace I seek?

How can I find a hope that's deep?

How when I feel so very weak?

Where do I go when the path's unclear?

How do I conquer fear?

I reach through the darkness to the light.

I step out boldly into the night.

I hold my head up in spite of pain.

And I find sunshine in the rain.

I see in my mind my Savior's face.

I feel in my heart His loving grace.

I reach out my hands to His wounded ones.

And then I am standing in the sun.

Miracle Boy

 

Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash

Miracle Boy

Christmas gifts beside the tree

Some for you and some for me

Giving gifts helps us to share

To show our loved ones that we care.

Jesus taught me how to love

When He came down from heaven above.

When in the Garden of Gethsemane

He paid for my sins because He loves me.

When Jesus came on an important day

And was tucked in a manger in the hay

Angels sang and shepherds knelt

As the heavens exclaimed with the joy that was felt.

I love Jesus and Jesus loves me.

I think of Him as I look at the tree.

I'll try to help my loves ones feel joy.

As I remember the life of the miracle boy.

By: Derek Christensen

Mid 1990s

Christmas

 

Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash

Christmas

Christmas lights, Christmas trees,

Falling snow, a fire's glow,

Cheerful music, tasty treats,

Yummy smells and food to eat.

Kindness in what people do.

Hope, and peace, and comfort too.

Thoughtful acts, forgiving ways,

Love woven in throughout each day.

A frantic pace.  Still moments too,

To think what Christ has done for you.

Golden times you wish to keep,

Amidst the common lack of sleep.

All the family gathered near

With anticipation and good cheer.

When hope and kindness are around,

When peace and joy and love abound.

This is how Christmas should be.

At least, that's what it seems to me.