A Glimmer of Hope

Even the darkest of nights carries with it the hope of another brilliant morning sunrise. It's never too late for the past to be conquered by the future. Remember the strength of hope though faced with the most challenging trials of life on this earth. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

A Painted Portal

Would that I could set these lines,
Upon a scene or painting too,
An artist speaks through brushstrokes fine,
And I upon this paper here,
Pen words to make the picture clear.

I saw the portraits brave and tall,
Of strength and beauty long they spoke,
Those landscape scenes upon the wall,
Ask, “Am I pretty can you hear,
The crashing waves or falling tear.”

For as I stood and gazed that night,
Their clouds rolled by and water lapped,
And moved to wing the birds to flight,
And catch me there just standing by,
Believing painted birds could fly.

The scene was real as real can be,
I tasted, saw and felt and touched,
The world upon this canvas sea,
And then I stated, stared and gasped –
A boy was looking back at me.

So in I drew, yet closer still,
But near enough to step right through,
The artist paints with awesome skill;
The boy had walked from whence he came,
Holding close a picture frame.

As I looked it struck me then,
I know those woods and hills and birds,
And place where I just once had been,
The painting tells the picture’s tale,
Of how a man can finally fail.

I recognized that scene full well,
It made me almost turn away,
Yet kept me staid within its spell,
Remorsing for the end I chose,
And how with grief I finally froze.

Yet still I stayed and watched in awe,
Another form take shape right there,
And you, in disbelief I saw,
My angel born in heaven,
The light within my life.

Confused by time and date and place,
I lift my head in shining sun,
And in the light I see your face,
You are the one for whom I longed,
And wish to all things I hadn’t wronged.

But you placed this frame into my hands,
Wished me, “happy birthday, love,”
Holding hands on this garden seat,
We sit side by side within the frame,
The painting is finally complete.

Smiles for love

Smiles for those times in life when one can do nothing but marvel at God's greatest creation: love; smiles for His blessings one and all; smiles for close friends to share; smiles as my heart is filled; wonder at the window face now smiling back at me....

Window Gateway

Alone I sit another day,
Watching sunbeams cast their light,
The rays reveal a dusty air,
Floating still as the place I stay.

Alone within a room of worlds,
My study pages fingers flip,
My soul has wandered far away,
Now walking through your perfect world.

Though sky is grey and air is cold,
And skies rain down their sorry tears,
My love to you the wind will bear,
The words on thin paper to fold.

And as I leave my studies go,
My eyes traverse the space between,
You found my heart and follow here,
I see your face in my window.

Life's path

Some will know, some will not. Some will care, some will not. I didn't think I was affected - but I was more deeply moved than I thought - and thus have only just begun to feel the weight. Don't take this lightly. Don't be paralyzed by fear. Tread carefully, and wisely and in the footsteps of our Savior....
In Memoriam:

Final Steps.

~ Jon ~

Final Steps

Stepping forward, moving through,
This life, each step is life anew,
Now turn and see your footsteps past,
They speak of pain and memory,
And of the place that you will be,
When on the path you step your last.

She lived her life for Him alone,
Her life was full, happy and shone,
His Truth within her heart she kept,
She shared it with all those in need,
Planting – caring for the seeds,
Even as her last she stepped…

For footsteps trace the path of time,
They rise and fall with Sovereign’s Rhyme,
Then one day our last we’ll take,
The walk in sand will finally end,
Our prints a lasting message send,
Is/was my path for His glory and sake?

The day was bright and full of hope,
She stepped onto the tightened rope,
Yet then it snapped and fell away,
As on we watched in disbelief,
Then turned our faces down in grief,
And felt what words had failed to say.

For not we know the time or place,
We turn to God and seek His face,
But still it’s hard to just let go…
He gives us human comfort and
A solid hope on which to stand;
And catches tears in love we know.

We’ll always miss her warming smile,
And wish to climb up heaven’s stile,
But her path is there, meek and mild,
It speaks of grace, salvation free,
Proclaiming – all the world can see,
Daddy’s little girl, God’s beloved child.

So check your path, your life, your creed,
Life has ‘nere been guaranteed,
Your next step could be the last,
So praise Him with each step you take,
Then deep your Lifeprints He will make;
And remember those whose ends you’ve passed….

To be certain of

Something's in the air tonight - shining faces all a bright? A toasty place and firelight? What can one say about the aire, of which I breathe with seemed uncare? It flows within, I glean delight, - and keep these thoughts so close tonight. Something is here - forever and always.

December in October

Winds and waves of frosted rain,
Tumble blow and wisp away,
Catch on forest boughs below,
And think of how they flew that day.

Clouds upon their lofty nigh,
Flow their way through azure sky,
Blanketing the ground below,
Watching tendriled wisps they throw.

Chill surrounds this breezy day,
Pulling on the autumn leaves,
Walks in step with marching time,
That which summer lover grieves.

Creatures walking to and fro,
Eyes they speak to ones who know,
Standing under weather sky,
Waiting there for their reply.

Singing winds and hopeful breeze,
Day of heaven in my sight,
Up there she stands awaiting,
Her warmth is in my heart tonight.

Knowledge

Not surprisingly, the thoughts contained within the meager lines of one of my more recent poems speak of a subject dear to my heart. In fact, it is not the single dearest subject on my heart, nor the most powerful, yet, it is one of relative importance. I feel so utterly and undeservingly blessed at this time in my life. My studies have commenced with ease and are a constant source of enjoyment for me, I feel that I am moving forward, growing, and understanding. Yet, in spite of these blessings of the moment, I also have the impression of a great weight - the weight of the future, of decisions that must be made and changes that must begin shortly. My human problem lies in the fact that I have no idea in which direction to steer the course of these decisions and changes. My latest poetry speaks a little to this effect. I believe it is the idealistic fulfillment of one aspect of the changes that must take place in my life, a fulfillment of a current thought process. Thus I was inspired to take up my amateur's pen. Thankfully, I know that the end of my strivings and goals of this nearing change are all thoroughly and lovingly planned by the omniscience of God. What a comfort to know that one does not strive alone or in vain! Finally, I have faith that no matter what happens the testimony of God's grace will sweeten and concurrently will His Kingdom be advanced in glory.

~ Jon ~

What I’d Do

If you only knew

All the notes and songs I sing,
Or how the autumn breezes ring,
The news the beauty birds they bring,
Or the paths I’d walk for you,

If only you knew

I’d take the rays of Sun in hand,
I’d build the mansion we had planned,
I’d place a crystal star on land,
And even bring some roses too…

If you only knew

Those thousand nights I’ve wished to run,
The miles ‘twain us down to none,
To speak until I’m never done,
About my love that’s ever true,

If you only knew

That when I’m never done that time,
I’d paint for you a sunset rhyme,
And ask of you that thing sublime,
I’d hold your hands and say I do.

If you only knew

What I would do for only you…