More Than You Know

Then it Happened

There it Was

It was a Surprise

So much so,

it momentarily turned 

my thoughts to fuzz. 

Everything I believed for

Dreamed of.....

All the things I couldn't do for my self,

bringing the good and eradicating the bad.

All the wonderfulness that brought the 
happy 

and vanquished the sad.

It seemed impossible, truly more unlikely,

as time ticked and the 

calendar

turned months into years.

Some days, it was all I could do 

to brush away the tears.

Then it Happened

There It Was

It was a Surprise

So much so, 

it momentarily turned 

my thoughts to fuzz.

So, it's good to keep in mind,

but definitely more valuable 

to hold in your heart,

that God,

in all His power

and all His love, 

will do what you cannot.

No matter how much effort

or

deep thought you apply

or

earnestly it is sought.

He is capable of the heavy lifting.

You ask why?

Because He is God 

and you are

not!

Your dreams, 

your heart wishes,

your deepest desires and

unspoken plans.

They will surprise you

when you lift them up

and

let them go.

Like rain, when they 

come back down,

they will gently 

touch your cheek

and attached, an 

ethereal note in tow....

"From your heavenly Father to my sweet child,

I love you more than you know." 

It's The Truth, Don't Cha Know

Tears are the current upon which our pain leaves us.

Let them flow....

Let it rip.

 Let them go. 

Drain the pain.

Cleanse your soul.

 Bottling it up takes such an outrageous toll. 

Tears bubble up and overflow. 

They come from the 

deep place

 in each of us,

 that we all know. 

Through blurry eyes, lashes wet, 

we can often see more clearly.

Adjust an attitude or alter a perspective 

that has been long set.

Tears.

Let them flow, sometimes happy, often times sad. 

We float our emotions 

on every drop. 

We can experience sympathy, empathy, anger, joy, and

 profound hurt; 

all catching a ride on a current of tears. 

We can go with them,

 grow with them, 

show people we care with them.

Tears show up at births, 

first days of school,

 last days of work, 

funerals 

and the times we pinch our fingers, stub our toes,

walk into doors and break our nose. 

The moments when we notice 

the diamond ring 

attached to the offered rose.

Life is filled with choices, opportunities, celebrations, milestones,

calamities, tragedies, unrelenting opposing voices. 

We have all experienced some 

and some have experienced 

all of these. 

Tears. 

 Don't shy away or push them down; 

they are meant to be a

 helpful companion

 to get you through life 

emotionally connected. 

Can't escape this life 

without being 

emotionally affected.

 Shutting down, holding feelings at arms length; 

it's a time honored tradition,

 widely thought to put your heart

in a protected position.

It isn't so. 

Engage your feelings, 

let your tears flow 

and it is 

emotional strength 

that will grow.

It's the truth, don't cha know. 

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