A Strange Setup

A strange setup—this earthly life,
and I wonder what it’s all about.
Round we go as the earth spins:
blessings, problems, peace or strife.
Surely, we’re here for a reason.
I ask, “How will it all turn out?”
A strange setup—this earthly life,
and I wonder what it’s all about.

Trust

When life’s road develops bumps
you may question,
“Am I really doing God’s will?”
You feel as if you were headed to Maine
and ended up in California.
But sometimes the Lord leads us,
seemingly in the wrong direction.
Like Joseph suffering in slavery.
Like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness.
Like Shadrack, Meshak and Abednego walking in the fiery furnace.
Like Daniel spending the night with hungry lions.
Like Paul sitting in prison.
Like Mary bearing the shame of being an unwed mother.
All these people were in the Lord’s will.
At times, they must have wondered
if they zigged when they should have zagged.
No matter what we’re going through,
God is good and loving,
our source of life and love.
When we lovingly yield to Him,
when we walk in faith,
our comfort is secondary.
He knows the best path to His purpose for You.
He doesn’t promise a superhighway.
It may be a mountain trail full of bumps, twists and turns.

Poetic Bloomings Prompt--line from a favorite poet

Let him be rich and weary, that at least,/ If goodness lead him not, yet weariness/ May toss him to my breast. George Herbert—The Pulley

Rich and Weary

Life is a mixed bag,
a weaving,
a tossed salad of good and bad.
So many blessings!
Miraculous bodies,
Beautiful creation to explore,
Friends and family,
Technological wonders!
And yet, life can be so miserable,
full of pain and trouble.
In the good times, let’s run to Him
and give Him praise and thanksgiving,
so when it’s time to seek Him
for His help, peace and comfort,
we will know the way
and be familiar with His voice.

A Yard Someday

I sit in the cool of the evening
on the green double swing
which looks out on our property.
I hear the light chatter of aspens,
view the pleasant purple of locust trees,
smell the fragrant lilacs
and then I stop dreaming,
see mounds of excavated dirt,
and run back inside.

Wedding Poem

To Kathryn and Jason

T o Kathryn and Jason I
O ffer this afghan and a prayer. Lord,

K eep them warm and safe
A nd in Your loving care. Craft
T hem and shape them, in Your wisdom and design.
H elp them in their troubles and know with You things are fine. May they be
R eminded daily that You have a plan. All things are possible with You, so with
You they can. They can do what You want them to, and in You their
N eeds are met. From the time they were little, their swing dance steps were set.


A nd as Kathryn homeschooled with her siblings, and Jason
N urtured his love for Your outdoors, and she
D ressed up as the next top model and

J ason took part in sports, You put together each piece,
A s I did with this afghan, making something lovely as only You can. As they cuddle in this Prairie
S tar, watching black and white shows, enfold them in Your Spirit, watching
O ver them close . And when this afghan loses its
N ewness and develops tears and tatters, may Kady and Jase grow strong in You and all that matters.

Celebrating Independence Day

At sunset we get together,
delighting in gentle weather
with moods as light as a feather,
all together, all together.

We all bring our blankets and chairs
and leave behind worries and cares,
one of our liveliest affairs,
and none compares, and none compares.

The bright colors burst in the sky.
We “ooh” and we “ah” as they fly.
We’re thrilled as we ponder the “why,”
with a glad cry, with a glad cry.

The pain of the years passed before.
Then revolutionary war,
those eight years of fighting some more,
with hope in store, with hope in store.

As Adams declared that we might,
we celebrate with games, shows, light,
family picnics, parades at night.
So he was right, so he was right.

He said to dignify the day
as deliverance, and display
devotion to God as we may.
So let us pray, so let us pray.

Poetic Asides--Don't Start That Again

Lost My Spatula

I hear the tremor in your voice,
see the tear in your eye. I should be
happy you’re taking interest in something,
but I know you’re seldom emotional.
I remember scraping you off the ceiling.
So, don’t start that again.