Tahoe
Giant dandelions,
as big as my fist
If there, they are
I’m not likely to miss
And, if I see
a new creature to me
Like a bright, orange fish
that’s in river, not sea
I’m astounded once more
at the things He’s made be
Then, when the wind
blows straight through my face
When the air that I breathe
feels like an embrace
I’m reminded once more
that there is a place
Where someday I’ll see God,
one day, face to Face
-kb
Will You Find Me Here?
It’s hard to put it into words
the inadequacy I feel
I’ve accomplished so little
with so much time
and being here makes it more real
If there is something I’m good at
it’s saying “no,” or not finishing things
It’s losing interest, assuming defeat
or sitting on my wings
It’s fear that consumes me now
it’s fear that consumed me then
And self-pity makes it easier somehow
I can call feeling sorry, my friend
But I’m not ready to be the problem
or accept blame for falling short
For not impressing family or friend
or for staying in my port
I’ve heard some say that accepting yourself
and what has come of yet
is the secret to living life peacefully
instead of with regret
Did I ever want?
What did I desire?
To step onto another’s path
and make their flame my fire?
To hop onto another’s back
while they walked through the mire?
I don’t deserve the things I have
the blessings He is giving
The comforts or the kind of love
that make a life, good living
But I would never argue this
the gratitude I owe
To the God Who brought me here
and helps me as I grow
And when I pray for just one thing
to feel I can be proud of
Something followed through to end
and had no single doubt of
I hope it counts as brand new seed
that sprouts within my heart
In soil that is watered well
from which efforts don’t part
Though maybe you will find me here
once again, in gloom
Where tears they fall from cheek to chin
as I watch others bloom
Have you ever heard the phrase, “the promises of God,” and wondered what those promises were? Well, I know what one of them is. It is that God will send His Holy Spirit to dwell in His people. Not only with them, but in them (John 14:16-17). When I think about all of the day-to-day challenges that come up in our lives, or the small details we ask God to be a part of, I sometimes wonder if He wants to be a part of those things. Does He want us to pray for the courage to speak up in a meeting, or for safety while driving to work? I would say that because He has sent His Spirit to dwell so closely to us (in our hearts), that He does want to be involved in every intimate detail of our lives (and by default, He will be, which is comforting :)). It is not only a promise, but a blessing. Which leads to another promise. That we are never alone.
His Care In All Things
When an ant, carries
When wind moves the leaves
When palm branches creak
And when birds nest in trees
When pine needles fall
When stars, they sit right
When sunrise, it beams
And moon claims the night
When a creature is born
or yet, born and made new
From a worm to a butterfly
wings, purple and blue
It’s these things
All these things
remind me of You
and the care that You take
in all things that You do
– kb
The more I learn, the more I understand that one of our main purposes while we are here on this earth is to love other people. That, and to know God. Of course, knowing God is first and foremost, because only by knowing Him do we get a better understanding of what love is. In 1 John, we are told that someone who claims to love God but “hates his brother,” is a liar (1 John 4:20). Jesus tells us to go beyond what we are used to and to love not only our neighbor, but also our enemy. He tells us that when we do that, we are acting like God’s children, and He makes the point that if we only love those who love us, we are not really doing much to stretch ourselves in the way of loving others (Matthew 5:43-48). In 1 Corinthians, Paul talks about the many gifts he could have (the ability to prophesy, an understanding of God’s plans, the possession of all knowledge, faith that could move mountains), but points out that without loving others, he would be nothing. He concludes the chapter with, “Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians, 13:1-2, 13). So, loving others does not seem to be optional in God’s plan, but of primary importance. I believe that one of the best things we can do when desiring to love others better is to look at the example God has given us, in Jesus. Jesus was forgiving, patient, compassionate, and humble. We can also study what the Bible teaches about how to love others better…being slow to speech and quick to listen (James 1:19), giving a gentle answer to turn away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). Finally, we can ask God not only for His strength to love others better, but to give us the desire to love others, because sometimes, we are lacking even that.
When Crawl Became Climb
I thought it just me
weeping aloud
filling the room
with water and cloud
‘Til His voice, I felt
echoing mine
gave strength to my soul
and crawl became climb
-kb
Better Land
I see Him in the rays of sun
that cast a warm, pink glow
I find Him in the crispy cold
that chills my face and toes
I see Him in the melty blues
in lakes below the trees
Where mountains shoot from land to sky
and gift us snowy peaks
He formed the creatures, and the moon
He put the stars in place
He grows the seedling from the earth
moves wind across my face
He’s here, and knows your every thought
the things you’ve always kept
safe, away from diggers deep
where, with folded wings you wept
To restless hearts, He gives new hope
and reaches out a Hand
As we leave our burdens there
and move to better land
– kb
Heaven
The horizon seemed to speak
to tell me that the line
I saw drawn at it’s edge
was only to remind
That as sea continues on
stretching from that spot
and places teem with life
that eye would claim, did not
So, life continues still
for those we can’t behold
and take our place, we will
among that bless-ed fold
Something meant for all
when turn to Him, we do
An all-inclusive call
not for a chosen few
He said that he did send
His Son not to condemn
but save through Him, He would
an estranged world of men
So call to Him at night
need Him in the dark
tell Him where you stand
with faint or solid heart
He hears each voice that sounds
the whisper and the scream
the shout that fills the air
the fright that fills our dreams
So, know that there is peace
and life beyond this shore
We take His hand, and with each step
renew our hope once more
-kb
Every day we are able to see evidence of God around us. We see the work of His hands in what He has created: our friends, our family, our pets. We see His power when we witness people suffering, yet who find their strength in Him. How have I seen Him this week? I was reminded of His faithfulness as I listened to a wounded friend confide that God would be The One – the only One she would lean on through her pain. I was reminded of what happens when God’s love captures someone’s heart, as I watched one of His faithful followers spend time and energy aligning each chair in our church sanctuary perfectly, in order to glorify Him. And I heard about Him in a song this morning called, “Reckless Love,” by Cory Asbury (see below). It conveys so well the kind of love God has for us. As the song says, “Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me…You have been so, so kind to me.”
We can feel free to bring our troubles, anger, frustration, and sadness to God, and we can be assured that He will listen to our every thought and word. His heart is moved by the things that carve valleys of pain through our souls. He is there when we weep. He is there when we ask why. His understanding and mercy toward us are considerable, and what makes Him great is that they are also considerable toward those we call our enemies. Can we be okay with that? Maybe we can. Maybe we can let it bring us a sense of comfort, knowing that God offers the same grace to all.
