Answered Prayer

Sitting here

with stars in my eyes,

thinking a thousand

thoughts of you.



Quietly wondering,

then I realize -

what I did

to deserve you.



I think the thing

that I did right

was ask for you

in prayer.



Before I slept

most every night,

God assured me

you were out there.



Now here you are

all in my heart,

a treasure

for me to keep.



And now I know

the sweetest part

is Singing you

to sleep.

Her Book

Leaning against the wall,

sitting on the floor,

with a book in her lap,

she’d never read before.



She sat Indian style,

hair falling in her eyes,

ignoring distant chatter

of teenage girls & guys.



She wasn’t like the rest

at the age of seventeen,

wearing cool clothes,

and in the fashion scene.



And as the sun was fading,

into a distant - - quiet sky,

a young man walked up,

acting kind of shy.



He sat down beside her,

with a little apprehension,

and asked about the book

capturing her attention.



She looked at him & smiled,

much to his surprise ...

as she whispered “The Bible”,

and pushed the hair from her eyes.

Why Worry ?

“Why worry when you can pray?”

That’s what Grandma loves to say.

Pick up your chin and give me a grin,

& wipe those tears away.



Why worry when you can pray?

Let a smile - your face display.

Crying boo hoo - is the last thing to do,

First -- begin looking, His way.



Why worry when you can pray?

It can turn your own hair gray.

Talk for a while, then give me a smile,

because tomorrow is another day.



Why worry when you can pray?

With Him - such worries won’t stay.

Ask for his hand, he’ll understand,

& the answer he’ll gladly relay.



Why worry when you can pray?

Because it’s in His care - anyway.

Turn it over to him & don’t be so grim,

then “Thank You” is what you’ll say.

Stroke of a Brush

The stroke of a brush,

upon an unpainted scene,

escapes within a place

SO silent and serene.

A wide stripe of amber

in no particular direction,

mixes within a mauve

not far from perfection.



A bold blend of brown

aimlessly finds a spot.

hugging a humble hue

which often fades a lot.



A dashing dab of olive,

randomly paints the page,

encouraging creativity

in this introductory stage.



The stroke of a brush,

turns color into art …

an unpainted scene,

is the perfect place to start.

S H A P E S

Many shapes are in the world,

many shapes are quite unique …

so if I name a shape or two …

what things might you seek?



Squares have four sides, ya know …

and all will measure the same.

How many items can you think of

in this “pick a square” game.



How about a television?

What about a table?

How about a picture frame?

What about a mailing label?



Triangles have only 3 sides …

an interesting shape, I’d say.

How many triangle style items,

can you think of today?



How about a slice of Pizza?

What about a piece of pie?

How about a pointy hat?

What about a pumpkin eye?



Circles have no sides, ya know …

or yet – a side that never ends.

Can you think any objects

with a line - that always bends?



How about a shiny ring?

What about a trampoline?

How about a pearl earring?

What about a pea so green?



There are so very many shapes,

some are yucky – some we love.

Now that I have named a few,

how many more, can YOU think of?

Splashes of Color

Splashes of color

are all around me.

Reminders of God

completely surround me.



A brilliant yellow sun,

a crystal blue sky,

the rainbow of color

on a passing butterfly.



A bright red cardinal,

in an autumn speckled tree …

sings a perfect song,

as if it’s just for me.



A clear winter air,

upon a blanket of white snow …

reminds me of my God,

everywhere I go.



A sky of velvet black,

hosts a galaxy of stars …

as kids capture fireflies

and stuff them into jars.



A fat orange pumpkin,

a juicy purple plum,

a brown walnut,

so tasty to the tum.



A lawn of vivid green,

paints a splendid grass …

as Spring becomes Summer,

and seasons come to pass.



A romantic little rose,

which blends a pretty pink …

is my favorite flower,

to make one stop and think.



Let’s think about the Glory,

and the beauty all around …

as Splashes of Color

make an awesome sound!

Purple Fascination

I wanna stretch my arms,

from sea to shining sea,

standing so far above,

mountain’s purple majesty.

I wanna swim with fish,

I wanna laugh with whales,

I wanna soar through the sea,

in a boat with purple sails.

I wanna sleep in the grass,

and make a snake my friend,

underneath a midnight sky,

with a perfect purple blend.

I wanna dance with stars,

I wanna hang from the moon,

I wanna fly through the sky

in a purple hot air balloon.

I wanna lose myself,

and forget about me ...

with my eyes wide open,

in a purple fantasy.

I wanna sing with birds,

I wanna run with the wind,

I wanna ride on a rainbow,

with purple at the end.

Nowhere to Hide

There was a little girl,

at the age of almost seven,

who asked her mom a question -

about the Lord up in heaven.

She asked if he could see her,

regardless of where she stood.

The mom said he always sees her -

and that he always would.

But she needed some specifics,

of what exactly he could see -

she said that he could see her

behind even the tallest tree.

She phrased it another way,

and this is what she said -

“HE can even see you,

hiding underneath your bed!”

So then she posed the question,

in her Sunday School class ...

“Could God still find me

if I laid down in the grass?”

The answer was the same,

as my mom had said before -

“God would even find you

behind a tightly locked door!”

So then she sked her daddy

if God could see her under water,

and he said that God does see -

every single son and daughter.

And then the tables turned,

with a question in HER direction -

Dad asked her - why she’d hide,

from God’s love - which is perfection.

Christmas

C * H * R * I * S * T * M * A * S



“C” is for Christ the King - born on Christmas day.

“H” is for Heaven - who sent Jesus down our way.

“R” is for Reasons - we all remember Christmas day.

“I” is for Inviting Jesus - in our hearts to stay.

“S” is for Son - the one seen sleeping in the hay.

“T” is for Teacher - who taught us how to pray.

“M” is for Mary - who trusted God along the way.

“A” is for Angels - who sang on Christmas day.

“S” is for Son - the one so perfect in all ways,

and HE is the reason - we have happy holidays!!

Blossom

Oh, little little flower -

whenever will you bloom ?

I expect sometime tomorrow -

yet how can I assume ?



Oh, little little flower -

I wish to watch you grow.

Yet - this painstaking process -

is seeming oh so slow.



Oh, little little flower -

patience is not my gift.

Why do I feel this burden

to give your leaves a lift?



Oh, little little flower -

please accept my care ...

and when your bud is blossom,

I promise I’ll be there.



Oh, little little flower -

I regard you as my daughter.

Hoping I can help you

with just a bit more water.



Oh, little little flower -

perhaps you need more sun.

I would like to be your light -

but maybe I’m not the one.



Oh, little little flower -

whose roots are not so deep.

When your stem is steady,

the glory is yours to keep.



Oh, little little flower,

I am praying for the day -

when I look up at you,

and humbly - I will say:



Your color is vivid bright.

Your stem is strong and green.

The rose that you’ve become

is the best I’ve ever seen. !!

BIG World

The world is kind of big,

but it’s also kind of small …

yet it has too many places,

for us to name them all.



Perhaps within your mind,

are places that rhyme with Joe,

such as New Mexico,

or even San Francisco.



And, Now, can you think -

of states that end with S …

such as Las Vegas -

or Arkansas or Texas.



So, how about thinking,

of cities that start with B …

such as Birmingham,

or Idaho’s own Boise.



And, can you remember,

a place that sounds like saw …

like the canal in Panama,

or Nebraska’s Omaha.



Perhaps within your mind -

are cool places to explore,

such as Africa or Australia,

or Brazil - or Singapore!



And, Now, can you think,

of states that end in N,

such as Oregon or Michigan,

or perhaps Washington.



Regardless of direction,

North, South, East or West …

think about where you live,

and what about it – you like best!

Animals, Animals!

Animals, Animals! They’re just everywhere!

From a tiny ladybug – to a big brown bear.



Some animals are very fast – and some are oh so slow.

Have you ever seen a Tiger run – or watched a Turtle go?



Some animals have many legs – and some have wings to fly.

Have you ever seen an Octopus – or saw a bird in the sky?



Who’s your very favorite bird – maybe it’s an Eagle?

Who’s your favorite puppy dog – could it be a Beagle?



Who’s your favorite fuzzy friend – maybe a Kangaroo?

Or how about an Elephant – or is he too big for you?



I like Kitty Cats – and I just love the way they purr …

and I like petting bunny rabbits – they have silky fur.



I like watching monkeys play – when I am at the zoo …

and I like seeing Dolphins swim – how about you?



Are there any animals – which make your skin crawl?

Such as a scary Bumble Bee – or a mouse inside the wall?



Are there any animals – that simply make you smile?

Such as a pretty Butterfly – or a friendly little reptile?



Some are scary, some are not – some are oh so sweet.

Some fly or swim or crawl – while others walk on feet.



Some make funny noises – like moo, oink or quack.

Some even have stripes – like a Zebra, white & black.



Animals, Animals, everywhere – covering all the Earth.

On the ground, or in the sky – never doubt what they’re worth!

Messy Fingers

Sticky fingers – tangled hair,

scattered crayons, everywhere.



Fancy artwork – on the wall –

drawn by midgets – three feet tall.



Tell me why – and tell me how –

that was mine – I want it NOW!



Must I share? Do I gotta?

At my party – I want a piñata !



Fix my bike. Buy me gum.

If you have it, I want some.



Dirty faces, grass-stained knees,

learning words – like pretty please.



Endless hugs & goofy wet kisses,

learning respect with “Mr.” & “Mrs.”



Scraped-up hands, from falling down.

Tender tugs - - on my night gown.



Need more paper – for Santa’s letter?

I wasn’t so bad – but I’ve been better.



Watching a movie – again and again –

Mommy, please – put the tape back in.



Messy fingers – hair gone wild …

all in the life – of a precious child !!