Beloved Children

Here and now, I wonder how relationships inherent
Could ever be just what I see, even though it seems inerrant
That children, bright, should reverence give, to me; the parent!
Is it really as it seems or is it incoherent?

For when I look beyond the now and venture even bolder,
I am not sure just who is the child and who, in fact, is older.
My children seem so wise to me, so good, and broad of shoulder.
I wonder if the truth will come when the fires of life but smolder?

Perhaps, someday, the time will come when they will wear a crown
And on a throne will sit, august, and graciously look down
At me, the jester in the court; a knave, a fool, a clown.
And I, in awe, will bow my head and reverently kneel down.

I thank the Lord, our Father, for trusting me to teach
Beloved spirits; children, His; and help them all to reach
Their full potential. May I fulfill this contract, and may I never breach.
To this end I humbly pray and of my God beseech.

Mayumi

Truth, Freedom and Beauty,
Displaying the traits of a daughter of God.
Truth, Freedom and Beauty,
As she walks down the path that all men must trod.

With courage strong she presses on
Despite set-backs, decisions, and fears.
With truth as her lamplight and God as her guide,
She will conquer the battle of years.

As free as an eagle she starts up the path,
It’s her God-given right to choose.
But, with truth as her lamplight and God as her guide,
Never her way will she lose.

Like a vast field of lilies her beauty shows through
While she conquers the pitfalls of life.
Like a heaven of stars her beauty shines bright,
Though in trouble, or anguish, or strife.

She holds to the truth that was given at birth
By her Father who watches above.
Holding fast to the promise of charity and hope
She follows that pathway of love.

With Truth, Freedom and Beauty,
She holds fast to the iron rod.
And with Truth, Freedom and Beauty,
She enters the Kingdom of God.

To Mayumi on her baptism day.

Waiting

Winter; cold, but not so glum,
For under snow and under sun,
In fallen leaves and times to come,
The promise of Spring is waiting.

Fallen man; but all’s not lost,
For in our Lord and at His cost,
In renewed life from death’s cold frost,
Eternal life is waiting.

The Last Ride

One tough ol’ cowboy; a strong, upright man,
He rode many years for the Ivin Hunt brand.
One ev’nin, quite late, as he rode out from town
Some bandits, they jumped him; threw him straight to the ground
“Your Treasure!”, they cursed, “Or you’ll surely be dead!”
And when he refused, they were quick with the lead.
A slug in his hip, near the heart, through a lung
Then they left him for dead, but he weren’t yet undone.

Climbing back on his horse, he vowed one last fight,
And touching a spur, he rode into the night.
Back at the ranch were the loved ones he’d guarded
But he knew deep inside that soon they’d be parted.
He was one tough ol’ cowboy; yes, tougher than hide,
But concerning his family, he was all soft inside.
The pain ... almost blinding, his breath nearly gone
But with unfinished business, he had to press on!

His kin sensed his struggle, but there was nothing to do
‘Til that cowboy rode in and looked over his crew.
Anxious, they watched as he surveyed his place
Then he smiled his approval; Pride in his face.
For the barn door was shut, the fences all mended
The mangers were full; just like he’d intended.
There just weren’t much more for his rough hands to do
So he turned in the saddle and bid them adieu.

Neither trying to stop him nor wantin’ him gone
They silently watched as he rode toward the dawn.
His breath now came easy, the pain gone away
Ridin’ high in tall grass on a bright summer day.
When he’d rubbed down his mount and made sure he was fed,
He heard, “Well done cowboy!” And turning his head
There stood his Savior with arms open wide.
“You made them all proud when you made that last ride!”

In reverent tribute to my Father-in-law at his passing. May 2002

Bitter Dregs

Bitter dregs in the cup of life
That would threaten to taint all your dreams;
Seeds of despair for the shallow and meek,
Are but kernels of strength for a Queen.

Cultured with patience, and watered with tears,
Each kernel, each seed, every grain
Will sprout into greatness, a bastion of strength,
And will rise from its soil of pain.

And as you are lifted in their branches above,
The pain will be left far below.
Your heart will be lighter, your vision will clear
And finally, inside, you will know

That each trial brings blessings, each obstacle, strength;
Though at times you had thought it a lie.
You will see through the clouds of an imperfect world,
And find God's approval on high.

Happy Easter

It’s Easter Time! And Spring is here; a special time of year!
When plants come out of tough old seeds; new life is everywhere!
Baby chicks break out of eggs, a hard ol’ crackly shell.
New animals are born each day, and that’s how we can tell
That Jesus loves us, every one, His heart is full of room!
‘Cause on that very first Easter morn, He broke forth from His tomb
And saved us all from being scared of death and pain and strife
So we could then return to God and live a happy life!

To my grandchildren at Easter 2009

All God's Creations

We walked on the beach, just Daddy and me,

And looked for shells on the sand.

We found a starfish holdin' tight to a rock.

Then we walked down the beach holding hands.

He showed me where clams had made holes in a stone,

We watched how the waves filled a pool.

Then he told me all about fish and such things

and he joked, "Even they go to school,"

We ran from the waves and made castles of sand,

And talked about Jesus a while.

I could tell how Dad loved him, Jesus I mean,

From the tear in his eye and his smile.

We climbed to the top of a really high cliff

To watch the sun hide in the sea.

Then Daddy told me, "Of all that God made

His greatest creation was me."

Written for Kimberly for a Primary talk. 1987