Struggle - winter

Such a difficult time of year

the snow is slow to disappear,

it struggles to hang on;

the life beneath

strains to appear

wishing it all were gone.

Creatures reach inside themselves

sustained with a final drive to spring

while humans deal with winters ills

and to life's promise cling.

So we'll set our sights ahead

to look with faith and hope instead

past struggles,

looking for the strength we need

lying in God's assurance seeds.

Peace in Your Presence - winter

There will be peace 

in Your presence

flowing pure with delight

filling us with your refreshing

as you carry our sorrows out of our sight.

We long to drink of Your living water

freely it will never cease,

we who are errant sons and daughters

finally resting in Your peace.

There we will have no burdens,

You wash them away in Your gentle stream

our thirst will suddenly be no more

and our souls sparkling clean.

Draw me closer

to hear the sound

of Your peaceful presence

streaming down

and know in my spirit that You are near

Jesus, shelter me,

with Your presence here.

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said,

rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

John 7:38

He Who Watches Over Me - winter

In times of want,

in drought of soul,

when life itself -

beyond control,

that is when we

learn to see - 

who is watching over me?

Beyond all doubt,

when in despair,

we live without

and turn to prayer,

that is when

we beg to see -

who is watching over me?

And when survived,

the effort's made

to share or hide

that which was prayed,

that is when -

acknowledge we,

He who watches over me...

While in the Wood - winter

While in the wood

there are no prying eyes

there is only what you see

and it tells no lies.

While in the wood

the rich are all brought low,

humbled, though they throw about

a hundred coins of gold.

While in the wood

poor are not recognized,

instead existing as their lives

are meant in God's image - prized.

While in the wood 

all falsehood set aside

you may once again trust what's real

it's peace will heal inside.

Be assured that this wood

is stable - in morning

as in night,

I flee to the safety of the woods

where everything is set aright.