All in all, everything
Each joy that comes
Every bit of brokenness
Cast it on the Lord
He hears the cries inside
While celebrating laughter
Written February 2023
Category: Poetry
Help Along Each Other
The way the water makes a flower grow
And how the sun feeds it a warm feeling
The nutrients in the ground give it its show
These things make it sprout for seeing
Wind blows under the wings of birds above
Flying more gracefully are they now
Soaring with the wind our beloved dove
Without it, they may not know how
Roots hold fast for the tree so tall
Never moving or stirring from their spot
So that the wonderous tree will never fall
No matter how cold or how very hot
As a friend is the strength for another
They will forever help along each other
From Originals 2005 – Written in April 2005
My Wise Sonnet
A seed begins with its size so small
To many it is hardly ever seen
Wants to grow and become very tall
But it is so very timid and keen
The little twigs lit with fire
Seems to me so small and weak
They have a desire to grow big and higher
But for more fuel in must go seek
There's a stream down the way
So skinny and small waiting to grow
Like it is now, it doesn't want to stay
It longs to become more so it will know
This you have now seen through my eyes
The one here who longs to become more wise
From Originals 2005 – Written in April 2005
On’t
The words come.
No they don’t.
I will quit.
No I won’t.
Trust in Me
Look at me as I look at you
Trust in me for what I call you to do
There’s a still small voice in my heart
It calls for me to never depart
To hold on tight to his love
He says to me coming down from above
Look at me as I look at you
Trust in me for what I call you to do
My life finds meaning, a reason to live
A grace to love, he does give
Humble and meek I want to be
In all things he calls out to me
Look at me as I look at you
Trust in me for what I call you to do
March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: third day early morning adoration
Forgiven, My Child
You are forgiven my child
You are forgiven my child
I have loved you through it all
You are forgiven my child
Though the enemy pursues
He will not take you from me
Hold on tight through the storm
And I will protect you
I am all you need
I am all you need
Lean on me
And I will hold you close
My child
March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: second day silent afternoon hike part two
Crying Out For Mercy
Your mercy Lord
O your mercy Lord
I cry out to you
For your mercy Lord
My cries echo throughout my soul
On the edge or the ridge
Screaming out your name
Why don’t I hear your voice
Your mercy Lord
O your mercy Lord
I cry out to you
For your mercy Lord
Where I’ve been invades my mind
The hurt inside that dwells
The marks that prove the pain
Where were you then
Your mercy Lord
O your mercy Lord
I cry out to you
For your mercy Lord
Breathe your words into me again
Rushing like the wind
Hold me in tight embrace
Show me you’re here
Your mercy Lord
O your mercy Lord
I cry out to you
For your mercy Lord
I love your mercy
I love your mercy
I love your mercy
Healing me inside
Hold me in your mercy Lord
March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: second day, silent afternoon hike part one
Your Tenderness
When darkness surrounds me
And all seems lost
It’s to you I run and I remember
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
Holds me fast
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
Heals my soul
My spirit is thirsting
Looking for love
You’re all I’m needing and I remember
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
Holds me fast
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
Heals my soul
Help me remain in you
Never to leave
Your speak to me heart and I remember
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
Holds me fast
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
Heals my soul
O Lord, O Lord
Your tenderness
O Lord, O Lord
Your tenderness
I’ll always remember
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
Holds me fast
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
Heals my soul
O Lord, your tenderness
March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: second day early morning adoration
Hold, Lead, Fill
Crumbling down before you
Needing your loving embrace
Hold me close in all things
The pieces are all over scattered
Brokenness fills me to the brim
Lead me to wholeness in you
Inward I fold away alone
Grasping out for true freedom
Fill me with your joyful presence
March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: first night
Here, Take, Hold
Here I am
Wounded soul
Seeking Joy
Within my heart
Hold me close
I lay down my love
In the midst of you
Longing to be healed
I fall at your feet
A yearning so strong
Help me to stay near
Take all of me in
Here I am, in the midst of you
Wounded soul, longing to be healed
Seeking joy, I fall at your feet
Within my heart, a yearning so strong
Hold me close, help me to stay near
I lay down my love, take all of me in
Grace-Filled Hope 