The Mother of All Nurturers

A Mothers Day tribute; The Guilty is Set Free

The Mother of All Nurturers
A Mothers Day tribute

To the mother of all nurturers
I proudly tip my cap.
My mom is still the wind beneath my wings.
From the time I was a baby
she has whispered “Yes, you can!”
And so with words that rhyme, her praise I sing.

When those bullies on the playground
pushed me down or bruised my pride,
when I was cut and didn’t make the team,
my mother would remind me
that while feelings can be hurt
rejection isn’t always what it seems.

“When a door is closed,” my mom would say
“a window opens up.”
And “the nos of life prepare us to hear yes.
She would help me see that God’s at work
when I can?t see His hand
and that average is okay when it’s my best.

Mom would tell me I was gifted
long before I had a glimpse
of the talents I’d been given to succeed.
When the self-doubt demons stalked me,
my mother drove them out
and encouraged me to simply just believe.

Now the mother of all nurturers
needs nurturing herself.
Mom is struggling and longs to know she’s loved.
She forgets that I have called her
and misplaces cards I’ve sent
to remind her she’s the one I’m thinking of.

Lord, please help my little mother
as she drifts to sleep at night
to have dreams that celebrate her sense of worth.
May she also sense Your presence
and the comfort of Your peace.
Please sustain this one who’s nurtured me from birth.

The Guilty is Set Free
Alesson in redemption from the headlines

Though guilty,
he’s forgiven
of the debt he rightly owed.
A gracious judge has set the prisoner free.
The Law’s demand was satisfied.
His debt was paid in full.
That headline sounds
quite biblical to me.

A new birth
some might call it.
The old has passed away.
The prisoner is quite different through and through.
God’s grace means new beginnings.
What’s “amazing” can redeem
that ex-con in Missouri
(also you).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2621377/Conrealious-Mike-Anderson-Missouri-father-released-jail-brought-13-years-late-credits-God-getting-family-this.html

A May Prayer

Do-able options for the coming month

May you discover in this month
that Easter’s not a day,
but rather it’s a way of life
by which faith learns to play!

May you experience the joy
just knowing Jesus lives!
May you not fear what’s still to come
but trust a God who gives.

May you determine to give thanks
for all that’s going right.
May you look past another’s wrong
so you’ll sleep well at night.

May you dust for God’s fingerprints
in all that springtime brings:
a flow’ring shrub, a fragrant rose,
the tune a songbird sings.

May you decide to make a friend
of someone you don’t know.
May you mend frayed relationships
although you cannot sew.

May you delight in getting fit
by walking every day.
May you eat what is good for you
and chart how much you weigh.

May you take time to talk to God
and then to contemplate
the ways the Lord has answered prayer
with “Yes” and “No” and “Wait!”

May you begin each day this month
by reading from God’s Word
and listening expectantly
for what the ancients heard.

May you unwrap each day as if
the present is a gift.
And may God’s presence grant you peace
and give your soul a lift.

Haunted by the Headlines

A post-Easter prayer

A jet goes down. A ferry sinks.
A semi hits a bus.
There’s a shooting at an Army base again.
A student stabs his classmates.
A landslide buries scores.
The headlines of the past month have been grim.

Their pain feels like Good Friday.
Why has God forsaken them?
The joy of Easter’s hidden in a tomb.
The fear of waiting nightmares
robs the weary of their sleep
as they brace to face the fiery breath of gloom.

Risen Christ, please hold the hurting
with Your wounded nail-pierced hands.
Having suffered, You can help the suffering.
May Your empathy and comfort
offer hope amid despair.
May Your presence prompt their broken hearts to sing.

The Kingdom Restored

How King Jesus deposed an imposter called death

In a garden, in the shadows,
back when death usurped life’s throne
the kingdom God intended went awry.
Yes, death ruled with ruthless terror
breaking hearts and robbing hope
with an edict that his subjects had to die.

But in another garden
long ago and far away,
the King unseated death and claimed His crown.
Yes, He banished the imposter
 ‘tho it cost the King His life
and a three-day weekend buried underground.

And on this Easter Sunday
as the lilies lift their heads
to announce the King of Life reigns once again,
can’t you hear the tulips’ fanfare
in earth’s gardens near and far
as they trumpet out a resurrection hymn?

Hallelujah, Christ is risen!
Hallelujah, Jesus reigns
for the kingdom of our God and of His Christ
is impervious to traitors
who deny what’s been achieved
by the King of Life who paid redemption’s price.

A Personal Look at Palm Sunday

What the eyes of faith reveal

The crowds lined the cobblestone streets that day
as a solitary figure emerged on a beast of burden.
There were exuberant cheers!

Smiling spectators waved palm branches in his direction
and shouted “Hosanna!”

Children sang a simple synagogue song.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

In front of where they stood
parents paved the path with their colorful outer garments
A growing red carpet could be seen 
as the grand parade marshal approached.
What a day it must have been!

Within my mind’s eye
I see the guest of honor seated on his burro.
He is smiling.
I catch his glance.
He looks my way and his loving eyes speak.

“You matter to me!
That’s why I am here.
This parade appears to be for me,
but it actually is for you.
Although you’d never guess by what is taking place now,
this procession punctuated by praise
will culminate in a post-parade party at which time
my critics will call for my death.
However, the painful conclusion to this joyful scene
will make possible the meaningful life I pictured for you
even before you were born.
I am dying to show you how much I care.”


His eloquent eyes speak volumes.
But if that were not enough,
I see his muscular arm
reach through a sea of faces in my direction.
His calloused hand betrays his years as a carpenter.
He opens his palm and gently touches my suntanned cheek.
It is at once warm and cool.
I am overcome with an inexplicable feeling of acceptance.
A tear falls from my eye and trickles to his hand.
His hand remains unmoved.
He smiles.
I smile back bashfully, gratefully.

My trembling hand reaches up to cup his hand
cradled against my face.
My palm against his palm.
I feel my heartbeat pulsating in my hand.
It is a holy moment.

Two hands touching.
A sacred bond of sorts.
No words are shared.
There is no need.
I know beyond any doubt
that I am loved by Jesus. 

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna, indeed!”