Keep Smiling

How amazing I can say
That you bless me every day
In the sun and in the joys
In the smiles of my boys
In the rain and in the tears
In the darkness of my fears

You have wrapped me in your love
Been to me more than enough
When I couldn't face the day
Lost in the pit of miry clay
You so gently took my hand
Placed my feet on solid ground

And I want my friends to know
That each time you bid them go
Be my hands, my heart, my feet
For I have a soul in need
That they listened to your call
Helped to catch me when I fall

Please bless them for their service
As you work out your purpose
In my own life and in theirs
Good friends sharing others cares
Place a jewel in their crown
Give them heaven's high renown

World's beginning and its end
Yet you want to be our friend
Share in our daily struggles
You quietly tend and lead us
Your truth will never fail
Over all the earth prevail

And I thank you from my heart
That you loved me from the start
As creation sings your praise
My voice and arms I'll raise
I will glorify your name
And declare you never change

Chuckles

My boys run around and play
Then come to me and say:
"What can I eat and drink?"
and my heart begins to sink.

So Ben gives me a big grin.
Says, "But look I am so thin!".
"Go away and have some fun
before our time is done".

Ben giggles as he races
to all different kinds of places
and his smile melts my heart,
as it has done from the start.

I know Thomas needs a wee.
It is plain for all to see!
I say, "Don't have an accident.
"It is surely time you went".

But he really is so cute
and he is having such a hoot.
I gaze on him in wonder
that I got to be his mother.

Sam winds up his brothers.
I am glad there are no others!
"Please do be kind and helpful.
Be good and behave well".

I look at my big boy now
and start to marvel how
he got to be so lovely.
A blessing and a joy to me.

I am really truly blessed
and I know I have the best
boys in all the world
and I want it to be heard

That I am thanking God today
and I shout it out and say:
"I love you boys so much
and you really bring such
HAPPINESS to me
and I am blessed to be me".

The Well

You are the source
The well, at which I drink
Not often enough
Often thirsty
Sometimes parched
Until my head throbs
and my throat burns
Then I remember
Your water
Your cool, pure
life-giving water
Freely given
No catch; no trick
With a smile
and a welcome
No grudge
at my absence
Just bemusement
that knowing its existence
its purpose; its reason
I have forgotten
to remain
or looked the other way
But now I drink
long, urgent gulps
Feel the healing
Relief; release
Then slow, lingering sips
Savouring and revelling
Filled to the brim
and overflowing
So now I stay
beside that pool
Never moving away
So I can drink every day

Inhabitation

The Living God
living in me?
How so? It can't be
Oh, what can He see?
My sin, my shame
My guilt, my pride
Each one locked up inside
But in You come
Throw the curtains wide
You gently sweep
and polish and dust
You do not stand
and mock or sneer
Turn your face away
or refuse to come near
No, the Living God
Creator of All
says 'I'm coming on in'
I'm happy to be here
Don't be ashamed
I know all your faults
But still I am here
and forever will stay
Now I don't love the dirt
and I want you at your best
You won't do this on your own
Because I'm here at every step
'It's not easy', I say
I'm not sure I want you every day
Well, not in this room
And definitely not there
It might hurt when you're cleaning
and I like it just this way
Then I hear my own excuses
and realise how silly I have been

You are the Living God
You have chosen to live in me
And I don't want to be small
or sad or insecure
I want you to shape me
to mould me and to build me
From the inside out
Into a magnificant palace
fit for my King
Each window flung open
revealing your light

Abide with me

Oh why can't I sit still?
I keep fidgeting and fighting it
Though I hear you call my name
To meet you; enjoy your sanctuary
Yet the busyness surrounds me
Confounds me; consumes me

Do I really resist your peace?
So self-absorbed; internalised
You bid me come and rest
I say 'yes, in a minute'
'when I've finished; after this...'
I'm exhausted. Nothing left

And why am I surprised?
That I'm broken, stressed, worn out
I know it shouldn't be this way
I know this isn't in your way
So you turn and gently lead me
In the path that you have laid

I hope I'm getting better?
Try to listen to your voice
Read your Word; seek your face
At each tiny sacrifice I make
You show me bounty
And so much grace

Rollercoaster

Head slumps

Breathing slows

Eyes flicker

Slowly close

In the half-state

Awareness

Inexorable weight

Pressing; oppressing

Thoughts tumbling

Words jumbled

Heart pumping

Panic rising

Water swirling
Closing in
Screaming; drowning 

Fighting for breath

Freefalling

Down and down

Wind rushing

Tearing; scaring

Stop, please stop

Hurtling round

Accelerating descent

Into the darkness

Out of control

Too fast; Too much

Be still

And know

That I am God

And you are my child

I love you

I hold you

I know you

I hear you

Turn to me

Call my name

I AM

Enough