Here's to Christmas

My oldest daughter just informed me that she doesn't believe that prayer works. That makes me feel sad. Still, that probably makes God, sadder. He longs to be connected with her. It's his way of making things happen and deepening faith. But, I understand how she feels. She's had a rough year. I won't get into details, but everyone is allowed to doubt sometimes. This Christmas pray for your friends and family that need a miracle. Then, prepare to be amazed.

Here’s to Christmas,
Here’s to Christmas,
For the snow
And the Christmas tree.
For gifts to give to friends afar
And friends that live near.
For the twinkling star
That shines so bright
In the long and dark wintry night
And singing songs of cheer
For feasting our eyes
On lights that glow
That will lead us back
To the little child
That came to earth
So long ago.
I’m so glad he came.

The Sparrows Plight

You feel so helpless when sad things happen to a friend. You want to help, but there's not much you can do. Recently, a friend's father died from Lou Gerrigs disease, so I prayed for her. What she needed was strength to get through. The circumstances didn't change, but prayer (and hugs and cards) helped.

Outside my bedroom window
Suspended in full view,
My grey capped friends clung to a tree,
While icy winds blew.

As I gazed at the heap of whiteness
That grew as a misty veil,
My feathered friends hung on tight.
They didn’t dare to fail.

How I longed to open wide my door
And usher the company in.
How I longed to still the frantic wind
And be their champion.

But they had no need to follow me
I could not ease their plight.
So, I asked the one far greater than I
To, give them strength that night.

The Dancing Queen

My daughter and I went to see "Mama Mia" not long ago. She was quite surprised that I knew all the words to the songs. Isn't that cute. Anyways, I wrote a poem for her seventeenth birthday, which was on Sept. 11. I write poems for all my kids. I thought I'd share this one with you. She loved it.

She's a dazzling graceful bird
sailing through the sky.
She's a gentle breath of wind
soaring on clouds on high.

She's smooth and clean as snow
on a high mountain slope.
She's a fresh rose in winter
and soft as creamy soap.

She's a ship afloat in a sea
of sparkling diamonds and jade.
She's a treasured book to read
with just one copy made.

She's unique and irreplaceable
and now that she's seventeen.
The world awaits the spectacular
the charming dancing queen!

Outdoor Fire

What do you get when you mix friends, a roaring campfire and food. The answer is; fuzzy,warm memories. Whenever you feel the cold winds sneaking up on you, think about something warm and wonderful. It's amazing what a difference that will make.

Sitting around a roaring campfire
With friends warm and sweet,
Reminiscing about days gone by
Toasting a marshmallow treat.

I think there is nothing to compare
To the warmth of an outdoor fire.
And the smell of burning pitch pine wood,
Of this I’ll never tire.

NOVEMBER DAYS

What I like most about November is focusing on projects and buttoning down the hatches. Sure, it's not as nice as October with its inbetween kind of weather, but we all need a time to look back and be thankful and a time to look forward in expectancy. November is perfect for doing just that.

In November the skies turn gray and cold
And tree trunks become bare and bold.
For brown is left when leaves fall away
And autumn colors no longer stay.

Yet, though brown is a dull color scheme
It gives all time to reflect and dream,
As the earth prepares for its long winter sleep,
Beneath, a snow blanket soft and deep.

War of Courage

Though I'm not a war advocate, I still want to remember the sacrifice that affect family and people in war. Lest we forget. Here's a few lines to consider.

Bravely they fought, not for themselves alone
but for those that would follow.
For the good of all mankind,
whether they saw eye to eye or not.
And only their acts of bravery resembled anything
that touched on humanity.

AN ORCHARD WALK

I hear many teachers instruct students on bus behavior. One teacher made a comment I especially liked. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Here's a poem that does just that.

We took a long walk; my brother and I,
Through the orchard where apples red
Dangled like rubies from branches of gold.
Waiting to be plucked and eaten instead.

We bit into an apple; it was ripe as sunshine
And sweet as rain dripping down our fingers.
We stayed in the orchard grove for a while,
My brother and I, a memory that still lingers.

FALLING LEAVES

We are approaching a new season. It's good to reflect on each passing season and be thankful for our blessings. Just think, the leaves that decay under the snow will bring nourishment for spring flowers.

Butterfly leaves floating down
Falling from the trees.
Golden yellow, orange and brown
Fluttering in the breeze.

Like graceful, lazy butterflies
Leaves float all around,
Gently falling from the skies,
Not making any sound.

THE CANADIAN GOOSE

I see a lot of Canadian geese. They soar over my house many times a day, especially in the autumn. I just love the fact that they mate for life. And they have wonderful parenting skills. They'd make a great study.

Behold in the sky
The Canadian goose,
Wears a fine tux
Of chocolate mousse.
With matching attire
His friends honk too,
Bowing their long necks
And say, how are you.
After greeting each other
They honk their goodbye
And with a flap of their wings
Soar through the sky.

A Prayer of Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! We have much to be thankful for. Probably more than we can imagine. Here's a prayer of thanks.

Dear God,

Thank you for the sun that shines
in the bright blue sky.
Thank you for the rain that falls
from the clouds on high.
Thank you for the plants and trees
that give us food and shade.
Thank you for each animal
both wild and tame you’ve made.
And a big thanks for my family
and my home so fair.
Help me remember that each blessing
was given because you care

Amen.

MY BUDGIE

I've got a budgie with personality. I can say that because I've had a few. George, thinks he's a person. Whenever we eat, he sits on the bottom of his cage and flaps his wings furiously. It's his way of saying he wants to join us. Of course, we open his door and let him eat from our plates. It seems cruel not to.

My sweet feathery blue
Confined to a cage,
Sings to an audience
Inside a wire stage.
All day the songs continue,
As if he never heard
Those songs are required
From a caged little bird!

THINGS COULD BE WORSE

It makes us laugh to watch a movie where everything goes wrong. But if it happens in real life it's not fun at all. Sometimes, it's just a matter of putting things into perspective.

It all started at breakfast
When I broke my favorite cup
And juice dripped on the floor
Mom made me clean it up.
At school I had a spelling test
I stumbled on each letter.
Later I noticed a giant hole
In my new blue sweater
At recess I was chosen last for tag
I fell and skinned my knee.
My friends ate a bag of jellybeans
But wouldn’t share with me.
On the way home I stepped in a puddle
My shoes got soaking wet.
For supper Mom served meatloaf
Knowing it’s not my favorite.
Later that night I lay in bed thinking
Wondering if I had a curse.
Then I recalled the news I saw on TV
Na—things could’ve been worse.

The Bible Tells Us

I'm getting ready for Pioneer Clubs. It's a club for kids to learn about God. Our theme verse is Psalms 119: 105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path.

I’m so glad God gave us his Word
It explains how we came to be.
Without the Bible I couldn’t learn
How much that God loves me.

It tells how God made the oceans
And placed the clouds in the air.
It tells how God formed people
From the very ground He put there!

Yes, the Bible answers our questions.
God wrote it for you and for me.
Everyone matters so much to God.
Without Him—we just wouldn’t be.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

We have not been created by God to wander about on this earth confused about the meaning of life. Instead, God wants to give us life and to give it abundantly. I'm so glad Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He not only came to lead the way, but to help us every day.

The good shepherd knows the sheep that are his
He guides them gently too.
They follow him where-ever he goes
As trusting sheep will do.

At night the good shepherd guards his flock
And leads them all by day.
And when he gently calls their name
They trust his voice and obey.

Each day the good shepherd feeds his sheep
And tends to the weak and lame.
With his staff he protects and keeps
And loves them all the same.

And if a lamb should lose its way
Out on the hills to roam,
He seeks and holds the lamb in his arms
And brings it safely home.

We are like sheep that have gone astray
Out in the world so cold
And Jesus our shepherd keeps calling our name,
Until, we’re safe in His fold.

CHROME BUS ADVENTURE

As a school bus driver, I have a front seat to excitement everyday. The poet Rachel Field wrote a poem years ago called Good Green Bus. Here's my interpretation of that delightful poem.

Climb aboard the old chrome bus.
School is where it will take us.
Packing in kids like spade foot toads,
Down the narrow and windy roads.
Zooming through lights in sets of two-
Look out cars we’re passing through.
Over the tracks we go clackity clack,
See kids land with a thump at the back.
Look to the right—the skate park is there
With jumps and ramps to catch the air;
and to the left are stages on display
In window houses where people play.
Around the bend and into the drive
Look out teachers cause we’re alive!

Three in One Recipe

I was feeling a need for a change, so I wrote something silly. Forgive me, but it was just what the doctor ordered. Enjoy!

Crack ten eggs into a bowl
and beat it with a fork.
When it foams up like the sea,
toss in chunks of pork.

Sprinkle in some chocolate chips.
Grate some cheddar cheese.
Blend in dollops of pumpkin sauce
Add a cup of noodles and peas.

Stir it up for about five minutes.
Add frosted shredded wheat.
Then pop it under a broiler oven
and get ready for a treat.

When the crust is nicely browned
you have got yourself a winner.
Instead of one meal you have three.
It’s breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Grass

Did you know that there is a purpose for everything on our planet? Even something as simple as grass. Today, in between getting my kids ready for college, I thought about grass. I suppose with all the rain we've been having this summer, I've noticed it more. So, here's what I came up with.

There are many good reasons
Why God made grass.
It’s a soft floor to walk on
And smooth as glass.

It’s a great place to hide in
For bugs you can’t see
And a cushion for children
When skinning a knee.

It’s breakfast and supper
For animals to munch
And a soft place to sit on
For a fine picnic lunch.

It compliments all flowers
Like yellow and pink
And holds tender dewdrops
For creatures to drink.

It binds earth together
And keeps dirt away
When spring melts and water
Are coming our way.

It’s a soft bed to lie on
And gaze in the sky.
It's a place to dream dreams
While clouds float on by.

I’m so glad God made grass
And He colored it green.
If He made it snow white
It would be hard to keep clean.

Something to Remember

Have you ever had one of those days, where you have lots to do, but can't remember what? Here's a thought to ponder.

A thought came to my mind today
Then, as quick as it came, it went away.
Oh what anguish to me this brings
When I can’t remember important things.

Still, there's one thing I must not forget
That God loves me and wants me to let,
His love flow through me in loving ways
As a gift of heart felt thanks and praise!

Television Blues

To write this poem, I asked myself the question "What if". Then I added a few exaggerations. I hope it makes you smile.

It began as a night like any other
Watching TV with sister and brother.
Watching show after show until
The picture tube went dark and still.
Like statues we just sat and stared
Except for John who looked scared
Then his face turned a shade of ghastly blue
“Without TV what will we do?”
Then sister Sue’s face turned green
The likes of it I’ve never seen.
Minutes before she had laughed out loud
Now gloom draped her like a cloud.
“But who will teach us how to think,
With television on the blink!
Who’ll entertain us we need to know!
Who’ll help shape our minds to grow?”
“Why don’t we play a game or two?”
I said while glancing at my shoe.
Then Sue and John stared hard at me
“You mean like a regular family.”
I nodded twice before I could blink,
Then added to that quick as a wink.
“Isn’t that how kids once had played
Before TV took that away.”
Then a look of hope came to their eyes
I admit it came as quit a surprise.
“We do have a lot of toys and games
Like, clue and scrabble and other names.”
The rest of the night we played together
My sister Sue and John my brother.
Laughing until our sides were split
Not minding that the TV quit.

Troubles and Peace

When we trust in Jesus many of life's troubles are easier to bare. Here's a poem that I hope will help put your troubles in perspective. Which we all have plenty of.

Sometimes we think the world is wrong
there's so much talk of strife.
It seems that troubles never leave
it consumes our daily life.
Each morning when the sun is rising
we waken from our sleep.
After catching up on all the news,
we run about like sheep.
We have places to go and schedules to keep
of this we can't deny.
There's no time to marvel of mysteries
or gaze into the sky.
But if we breathe words of praise to God,
He'll take our worries away.
And we thank Him for blessings that we have
we'll have a wonderful day.

THE BEST SERMON

Have you ever wondered how you can make a difference in the world. Often it's not what we preach but, how we live that teaches the best. So, what are you going to do about it?

If I could live my life like a sermon
For people to see and hear
My actions would be, the strongest voice
To make the message clear.

And if my life looked like a sermon
Or a lighthouse every day
God’s love could freely shine through me
And help someone find the way.

And if I lived a life that was true
Others around could see
God’s love through the pages of my life
By seeing Christ through me.

Give Thanks

Need a lift. A favorite Christian poet of mine is Helen Steiner Rice. Though she is no longer with us, her words will continue to bless and encourage us. Be encouraged with this lovely thought.

Give thanks for the blessings
that daily is ours—
The warmth of the sun,
the fragrance of flowers,
For the joy of enjoying
and the fullness of living
Are found in the heart
that is filled with thanksgiving.

Helen Steiner Rice

Think and Speak like David

One of the most beautiful verses in the Bible is found in the book of Psalms. King David, who wrote this, was called a man after God's own heart. It's not hard to see why. May this prayer be yours, too.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19: 14

In Honor of Birds

Birds are my most favorite living things. Think of what you enjoy most and why. Then write it down before you forget. It might be your best poem yet.

Without the melody and song
Of the birds that fly
Our days would be quiet, dull,
Lifeless and long
With nothing to cheer us
Or to bring hope
Of a better day.
And how bare the sky.
Who would greet the morning—
Who would sing all day—
If their music was stilled
And our feathery friends no longer
Flitted across our pathway.

My Father's Hands

It's Father's day this weekend. Show your dad how special he is. Remember-if it wasn't for him you wouldn't be who you are today. If you are a dad have a 'Happy Father's Day'. You deserve it.

My father has hands of friendship
His words are honest and kind.
He makes me laugh when he tells jokes
His teasing I don’t mind.

My father has hands of gentleness
He makes the best lemonade.
And no matter what the time of day
He'll hold me if I am afraid.

My father has hands of efficiency
Just like an eagles wing.
He can fix my bike or mend my heart
He can fix most anything.

I Like

Want to write a poem. Make a list of things that make you happy or things you would like to do. Now rearrange them until the words sound just right. It's easier than you think.

Skipping pebbles in a brook
Catching fireflies
Coyotes wailing at the velvet moon
Gazing at star filled skies
Munching apples on a stick
Watching puppet shows
Tossing sticks for wag tailed dogs
Wiggling my toes
Sending messages to friends
Birds with bright hued wings
Petting a donkeys neck
I like many things.

Dancing Daffodils

Spring is here again. Isn't it wonderful. Don't forget to enjoy the flowers. I've written a short poem to celebrate.

In my garden before me lay
Dancing flowers in full display.
Waving gently in the breeze.
Dancing by the budding trees.

What a joy it was to see
The daffodils dancing free.
Not hidden by a fence or wall
But dancing to be seen by all.