Inverno

The bleak solstice Night begs
just one more wish, from the window of
my room, brushed in iridescent frost and snow's resist,
and Winter's rare and lovely kiss-
the begging Earth, her midnight's cry, sleep
soundly into Morning's desperate light,
when life creeps from what the Moon hid away,
in spite of Day, and
the battle of season made into childlike secret play:
the dancing flakes
of frozen rain will fall on linen colored beds
of angelic, perfect strain- everything that is white,
is pure,
untouched by human and vile Summer's extent endure,
thus make us what we are when hope is satisfied
in a surrendered, brilliant Winter's end.

November 24th

Dear Someone,

Happy Thanksgiving. Note to self: when Uncle Tim offers to make the turkey, make other plans.


Lord, thank You for life. Thank You for trials. Thank You for healing. Thank You for grace. I need nothing else...

Father, whate’er of earthly bliss
Thy sovereign will denies,
Accepted at Thy throne, let this
My humble prayer, arise:

Give me a calm and thankful heart,
From every murmur free;
The blessing of Thy grace impart,
And make me live to Thee.

Let the sweet hope that Thou art mine
My life and death attend,
Thy presence through my journey shine,
And crown my journey’s end.

(.Anne Steele 1760.)

Always,
Mandi

Needless Pain

Today in church Brian asked us to spend a moment in prayer, as we had been listening to Pastor Scott preach from Ephesians on the act of coming before the Lord, in adoration, for confession, with thanksgiving, and for supplication. I was sitting by Kati and we knew just what we needed to pray for in that moment. She held my hands so tightly. I would have given anything for that moment to be just a breath longer. God is so good...


With linked arms we sang...

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Oh precious Lord, there is much I have not taken to You. Thank You for changing me this morning. Thank You for giving me a friend here on this earth who knows those things, and who I know those things about, and who loves me unconditionally despite them... for this I praise You.

Underneath the Maple

(.requested poem.)

Take a look around.
Do you see me
standing here beneath the maple
where we used to chase
the invisible ones? I remember
a thousand yesterdays
ago, when you climbed
into the shadows of this tree and
then,
with daring eyes, looked down
on all of us while we held
our breath.
And I remember
wanting to be brave
like you.
We weren't
of significant age,
but at least we lived like tomorrow wasn't
promised to us.
So now I stand here while the rain threatens
to break from sunless clouds, and
while you run catching the flying sphere
with the others like you.
And I'm tracing
my fingertips over the four
letters
you made here so long ago, impressed on
time and bark,
fading
but not absent- made from miniature knives.
You didn't know what you meant.
Stand with me
underneath the maple and remember,
while leaves
fall
sweetly to the ground,
for the hundredth time, because
they are both changing and unchanging-
something much like
us.

H&M. Keeping brick walls strong.

She's been hiding in the bedroom, hoping this isn't how the story has to go, it's not the way it goes ... it's your book now...

Sunday School

"When I think of Jesus, I picture the most handsom guy ever created."
-Taylor Reavely 10/30/05

Pefect Steps

Well I'm dancing on this stage,
waltzing into a brand new better day
fall sweetly in love with being held
by the One that led me to
this light where I've found you
and so we're dancing in the presence of
the very greatest Love
the One we're unworthy of
reaches down to give us perfect steps
and I bet
that if we listen to the higher sound
of His wonder spinning us around
and around
we'll never leave this stage
it's taking time to turn the page
but the music keeps on keeping on
forever singing this sweet old song for me
and you
to dance to
on our stage made out of life
and brilliant, holy Light.

Two Are Better Than One

Oh, often nothing is more fulfilling than the company of a dear friend! Nothing that so lifts the spirit to soar, and kindles the flame of joy again. I can only praise You, Abba, for creating us never to be alone! Thank You for this friend ... this treasure.


This day is fragile - soon it will end
And once it has vanished, it will not come again
So let us love with a love pure and strong
Before this day is gone

This day is fleeting
When it slips away
Not all our money can buy back this day
So let us pray that we might be a friend
Before this day is gone

This day we’re given is golden
Let us show love
This day is ours for one moment
Let us sow love

This day is frail - it will pass by
So before it’s too late to recapture the time
Let us share love, let us share God
Before this day is gone
Before this day is gone...

(.Point of Grace.)

Calming My Storm

Last night
I was standing beneath the storm tired sky
that leaked
sparkling rain onto my face, and
crystal droplets
to dance in my hair-
when I closed my eyes and smiled
at the rush of pure joy, for the first time
in a long time.
It was an energy
flowing through me
like fire- melting
away the bitterness of
the autumn wind ... or maybe
it wasn't of the wind
at all.
Renewed, I soared
on invisible wings right into Your arms and
here, You've held me
steady all the while. Oh,
if every moment could be like that night!
Sweet Jesus ...
Be my delight
and my
forever Joy.

Then sings my soul...

Yes, it's country ... and still beautiful- music AND words

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

God blessed the broken road...

(Rascal Flatts)