Gladness is a Firefly

"This is the day the Lord hath made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

My mother's favorite verse.
She had it posted on her bathroom mirror.

God is the Creator;

He speaks and existence begins.

Every day he renews that speech.

Apart from God

There is nothing.

Our time on earth is brief;

Let us savor each instant.

Joy comes from everywhere;

We need only pay attention.

Gladness, like a firefly,

Wings in and flashes for the moment.

If we try to trap gladness,

It will die.

Gladness must be free

To find another.

Rejoice,

For that is God's command.

This is the Day

This is the day the Lord hath made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

My mother's favorite verse.
She had it posted on her bathroom mirror.

Photo by Pierce Place

God is the Creator;

He speaks and existence begins.

Every day he renews that speech.

We must remember that apart from God

There is nothing.

Our time on earth is brief;

Let us savor the moment.

Joy comes from everywhere;

We need only pay attention.

Gladness, like a firefly,

Wings in and flashes for the moment.

If we try to trap gladness,

It will die.

Gladness must be free

To find another.

Rejoice,

For that is God's command.

Warming the Soul

Winter's cold embraces us.
I long for summer's warmth.
I will turn my face toward you, Lord,
And feel your warmth in my soul.
I pray that others may know your tenderness,
Your lovingkindness.
When the north wind howls,
May I remember the words of the psalmist:
"He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes.
He hurls down his hail like pebbles,
Who can withstand his icy blast?
He sends his word and melts them;
He stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow."
Let your Word reach my soul
And melt my heart.

Deceit

The world around me seems built on deceit.

No one speaks the truth, only half-lies.

How do I survive in this place?

I know I must honor God

If I claim to be Christ's follower.

I will trust in God's lovingkindness

To deliver me from evil

As did the psalmist.

"The Lord is my rock,

And my fortress,

And my deliverer;

My God,

My strength,

In whom I will trust."

Ancient Hymns

Hymns bring memories and a sense of hope.

Old ones remind me of my childhood

With family gathered around the piano to sing together.

New ones make me part of today and the future,

Part of the ever woven fabric of Christianity.

The greatest hymns are very old:

The Psalms.

I shall read a Psalm today

As I listen to a hymn,

So that the music in my ears

Is echoed in my soul.