Whoever You Are

Fancy Pants, Circumstance

Time to play the part

Fulfill the role

The music plays, it's time to do the dance.

People looking on, watching your every move. 

Get in the rhythm, find your groove.

  Stains on your shirt, holes in your pants, 

circumstance.

Putting your best foot forward,

 giving it your whole heart and coming up short. 

The way things are, 

  do not have to remain.

This stressful vigil you will not need to maintain.

  What is now does not, in the future have to be.

Invisible, as you walk through each day, 

no one to look on, no one there to see. 

 This world, this large encompassing place. 

Your world, your people, your situations, your responsibilities.

All before you they stand.

 Top of the world or bottom of the heap.

Remember you are important, you are special, even grand!

For each one of us, no matter which country, 

 no matter if you are a man, a woman, 

or a small child. 

No matter how you believe, 

what you believe, 

one thing is true for all. 

Our world has gone wild.

Every person everywhere needs, above all, 

to live in a place accessible to the masses and

 frequented by few. 

Whoever you are, 

regardless of your hair cut, fashion sense, or origin of race,

 we, the people, of this world 

need to live in the state called grace.

God created it and made room for everyone. 

The work is done. 

Take a trip today, without hesitation or delay. 

In the state of grace, peace dwells and is neighbors with joy.

 The world may not settle, 

 but your heart can find rest. 

It is what I recommend. 

What I sincerely suggest.

Speak in loud shouts or whispered tones. 

Your voice will be heard.

Just say:

"Hey God, it's me. 

Come into my heart today.

My burdens are too great, my life too gray.

   I want to live in that state called grace and     

 permanently leave this emotionally barren place. 

I lay it all down, all that I have carried and been.

I didn't know it had a name, but I realize now, 

it is a thing called sin.

I will make you this trade,

 my sin for your love and grace.

My hardened attitude for one of patience, understanding,

and reverence where due.

I want to begin this sweet journey to be more like you.

From this day onward, 

I will be yours and you will be mine.

What spectacular feelings this produces, there are no proper words, it is a wonderfulness I struggle to properly define.

As the world continues to spin somewhat out of control and kindness stretches thin,

I will stand tall and take what comes on the chin,

  because I win .......the God of the universe,

   I will hereafter, call my Papa and........ 

I find it 

positively divine!" 

A Quiet Place Found

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz 

goes the Bee. 

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz 

goes the doorbell, announcing

 the arrival of someone I cannot see.

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz 

goes the many thoughts,

unanswered in my head. 

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

goes the alarm clock, stirring me from slumber   

to get my attention going toward

the tasks of the day, that are lots and lots in number.

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz 

goes the phone, the 

millionth notification of the day.

Technology is brilliant, but for the 

privilege, there is a price we must all pay!

Away, Away, Away, Away

I go from buzzing doors,

clocks, phones and thoughts.

A quiet place sought.

A quiet place found.

To center my everything...my thoughts, my heart, my choices

done successfully as I step away from the many clamoring voices.

In silence I sit.

That still, small voice filled with love, wisdom, 

guidance and a sweet sense of humor comes clear. 

I can hear it and with an open heart, I draw near. 

All that has felt upside down and inside out feels

not so bad. 

In fact, it all suddenly 

feels just right!

Pebbles With Purpose

Pebbles, stones, rocks, boulders and bits of sand.

All the same, it's a question  of  size that 

determines its name, its purpose, its use.

Rocks can break your windows.

Boulders can alter your path.

Sand can be the irritating grit in your sandwich.

A meal most of us would choose to ditch.

Pebbles smooth and small. 

No grit or imposing size.

Pebbles are not large enough to stub your toe upon.

A glass of water not full, add a pebble,

 raise the level

 'til the top is reached;

 if you keep going the rim will be breached.

Much the same our goals stand before us.

They loom large, high  above the place we stand.

We focus our eyes, determine in our hearts and

fix our minds on a plan of action to ascend.

Along the way small factors, effective detractors,

  join your journey. 

Not road blocks or even small irritations, 

but little things that must be 

noticed, addressed and pushed past....motivators.

Pebbles with purpose; for every pebble in your glass 

you will rise higher and just as 

the water breaches

the brim of the glass 

you will stand upon your 

collection of pebbles, grab hold of your goal and 

experience the elation of your achievement at last!

Could be...

Sometimes we, as people, labor over how to get ourselves out of a particular situation when the best thing to do is focus on what the situation is bringing out in us.

Could be strength

Could be compassion

Could be backbone

Could be fresh perspective

Could be skills you didn't know you had

Could be you are just what someone else needed

Could be just the thing to get you where your heart wants to go....

Could feel like the worst and be the best thing that ever happened to you!

Fathers Are......

Fathers are the house that protect us.

They are the foundation that we stand on.

They are the roof that covers us.

They are the walls that protect us.

They are the heater that keeps out the cold.

They are the air conditioner that 

cools us when we get too hot.

They are the windows to help us see what is possible.

They are the support beams that facilitate our dreams.

They are the kitchen that fills us up.

They are the garage that teaches us to build things, 

be creative and confident enough to put our mark on them.

They are the vehicle that takes us as far as life will carry us.

And on the occasion when life treats us roughly, they are 

the porch light that shows us where home is, 

greeting us with

warmth and an open door.

Thank you Dads, wherever you are around the world; 

we, your children, honor you out loud today and 

every day in our hearts.

       And personally.....

For my Yo Papa, Jerry Stepp 

The man who believes in my dreams

Who believes in me,

With Love

Keep Tending

 Weeds, thorns, thistles

Broken twigs and dried

up blossoms

Forgotten, this garden

That is how it appears

It didn't get this way

overnight; it took years.

It had its start, full of enthusiasm. 

Energy was expended as the garden 

was lovingly tended. 

Patience easily offered.

Forgiveness for shortcomings

easily extended.

 As the weeds began to grow,

returning again and again, 

the forgiveness came harder,

patience wore thin. 

What is to be done 

when it feels that there   

is so much work and you

are fighting against time, 

 the very setting of the sun?

A fresh set of tools is what's needed,

 the old ones were not meant for the job. 

The sun does set, but it also rises again.

Yesterday may have left you with a back ache. 

Today might have been full of uncovering

unknown weeds 

choking out the 

potential of your seeds,

      but I implore you, cherished gardener...      

Keep tending that 

garden, because there is so 

much good left at stake.

If you just don't feel like you can contend

 with one more unwanted weed, I implore you 

to call upon the Master Gardener. 

He has all you lack, all you need.

Wings

June, no gloom

June, it's a birthday month

Time to sing that annual tune

June, the ceremonies are in full swing

Weddings and Graduations

Lots of Happy hearts 

testing their wings

Yes June, a time of transitions and letting go 

Trusting the decisions 

of the ones you love

giving them the space

to learn and grow

Interesting thought to ponder, this business of letting go.

It doesn't mean to disregard and turn your back....

It means it is time to wait in the wings while 

the bride, the groom, the graduate 

take center stage in their own life.

But when it comes to love, there is no age...

it isn't required

Hugs have no expiration

Kind words never go out of fashion

So, let go with confidence as the new season unfolds.

Surprises, treasured moments, and unexpected adventures

are all up ahead

Immerse yourself into today

Enjoy it in every way

Don't long for yesterday

or fret for tomorrow...

                                          Let go

               Love on

                                 

Prepare for new adventures.