Broken Windows

I look beyond the window
Of the house wherein I dwell.
I long to dance upon the moss,
Drink water from the well,
Engage in conversation
With the children playing there.
But my longing turns to tears
As I breathe this stuffy air.
This room with four square corners
That I know is not my call.
Why must I then be stuck here
While outside Autumn falls?
With all that is within my heart,
I want to self-combust.
I raise my fist to break that pane.
One whispered syllable: "Trust."
Angrily, I shake my fist
"But now, NOW is my time!"
And out of frustration
I sit to pout and whine.
But the still, small voice just waits
For me to settle down.
Then speaks in tones so gentle,
"I'm not trying to keep you bound.
I don't want you to bust the window,
But that doesn't mean You're doomed.
I only want to protect You.
Broken windows badly wound.
I'll open it up in my timing;
Child, soon you will fly free
And do those things I made you for,
But for now, please trust in Me.
I can't tell you what I'm planning;
It must be a surprise.
But when I do it that sight out the window
Will be too glorious for your eyes."
I look beyond the window
Of the house wherein I dwell
And the excitement builds within me.
As I know this: All is well.


-----------------------------------------------------------------

To read the Oregon Journey blog post that corresponds with this poem, go HERE.

Important

He sat writing,

Penning word after word again.

It seemed that every time I saw Him

Over and over in my dreams

He sat there, papers scattered 

Around Him in reams.

I could not help but wonder

What words lay under

His pen.

 What did He consider so 

Important?

I sat copying

The Words of Abba into my journal

Combating my discouragement with His paternal

Promises of peace and hope

That say nothing is outside the scope 

Of His watchful eye.

When I cry--

According to Psalm 56--

He makes a list;

Not one tear is missed.

He sat smiling.

Looking up from His writing, He turned to me,

Whispering, "Come here, my child, and see."

It was then I knew

What He found so 

Important.

I stood crying

Viewing trillions of pages:

The record of tears over the ages,

The ledger of Adam and Moses and Sarah,

And everyone thereafter to this very era.

And not only the tears but every heartache

Found it's way on the page with a time and a date,

Proving Psalm 56:8.

He sat writing,

As I observed the proof of His faithfulness.

And when I turned to look into His eyes

I realized

He was marking down those tears, also.

Those tears that overflowed

As I thanked Him for love so unrestrained

That He could consider me and my pain

So Important.

"You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in Your ledger, each ache written in Your book." (Psalm 56:8)

No Missing Tear (Psalm 56)

My enemy is against my very life

And torments me with words of strife,

Trying to get me to fall to sin

Twisting my words all around again.

My God, will You forget Your grace

Or hide Your face?

In You--You only--I put my trust;

I will fear nothing; I simply must

Rest in You.  You keep a list 

Of the tears I cry; not one is missed.

Oh, God, when their ridicule is appalling

You keep me from falling.

Your love-lit path is Grace applied,

May my life Your glory never hide!

Find Me, Bind Me, and Remind Me

"When I lose my way
And hopes are dim,
Will You look for me?"

"Child, I know each day,
Hopes are never slim.
I find every absentee."

"When I loose love's chains,
From Your victory run,
Will we stay apart?"

"No, My grace remains.
I have already begun
To bind you back to My heart."

"When I forget my name
And who I am.
Will I be too far?"

"No, I stay the Same
And have a plan.
I will remind you who you are."

"At the end of all your faith,
To the end of all your days,
Remember Me; You need
Not dread in all your ways.

Child, there's nothing left to fear.
I am here."

"So when I lose my way, find me; when I loose love's chains, bind me; at the end of all my faith to the end of all my days, when I forget my name, remind me..." ~ Andrew Peterson, Dancing in the Minefields

They Chopped Down a Tree...

We chopped down a tree
And decorated it with shiny metal
Ornaments.
And underneath it we placed
Gifts that would
Delight the hearts of the receivers.

They chopped down a tree
And decorated it with shiny metal
Nails.
And on it they placed
The Gift Who would
Delight the hearts of the receivers.

That Gift
Who would be as a Fruitful, Gracious
Abundance
In a broken, sinful world.

They chopped down a tree
Not knowing
Of the promise of God's restoration:
The Tree of Life
In a formally barren wilderness of thorns.
That Gift
Becoming the Hope of the world,
The Everlasting Promise
Of God's Love.

They chopped down a tree
And placed on it Jesus--
Emmanuel--
That Gift
Who would redeem our souls.


"So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree... and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off"
(Isaiah 55: 11-13).

Singing

Singing
for Elya Snow
Based on Zephaniah 3:17

Frightened,
She stands
Where the rubber meets the road,
Where the waiting greets the incident,
Where her wings test the sky.

What does the future hold?

If only things were
Like they once were!

But
Then what of the perfect plans
That have strengthened her faith
In her Infinite God?

What of the answered prayers
That have proven
A testimony to the lost ones she’s spoken with?

What of the testimony
That will one day testify
Of His wonderful love?

Her head knows these things are true,
And yet,
She still stands
Waiting,
Frightened,
Worried.
Scared of the leap of faith that must come
Soon.

The moment presents itself
And she takes the leap,
Praying
For help,
For peace.

“Help me mount up,”
Her heart cries,
“With wings like eagles.
Help me be strong!”

And yet,
She is falling.
Why are her wings not enough?
Why is her God not giving her strength?

“Listen closer.”
“Listen closer.”
He prompts her fearful heart.
And then she hears it—
Singing.

She smiles and rises
Upon the morning’s dawn.
Listening
To the singing—
The precious singing of her Savior
Especially for her.

Now she soars,
Into whatever lies ahead,
Mounting up with wings as an eagle.
Safe,
Held,
Quieted
By His loving songs:

“Let Me sing over you
My daughter, My girl.
Be still.
Let Me draw you
Into My arms.
Rest in My peace
For it will
Never
Pass away.
I rejoice over you
And long
To quiet your fearful heart.
I will be Faithful
Always.
My will forever seeks your good.

Let Me sing over you
My daughter, My girl.
I love you!”

Because of You

Because of You

My body aches from weariness,
My heart has lost its song.
I fall in bed upon my face
And think, “The day’s been long.”
I feel alone within the world
Until I feel your hand.
You lift my tear-stained face to yours;
I know you understand.

And because of you
I see the rainbow through the rain,
The star in darkened sky,
The word in scrambled letters,
The breath within each sigh,
The light inside each lightening strike,
The water in each wave,
The peak of ev’ry mountain climb,
The hope to still be brave.

My bones are broken by the pain
For words hurt more than claimed.
Yet, even in this brokenness,
Within your arms I find full rest.

And because of you
I see the rainbow through the rain,
The star in darkened sky,
The word in scrambled letters,
The breath within each sigh,
The light inside each lightening strike,
The water in each wave,
The peak of ev’ry mountain climb,
The hope to still be brave.

And in the hope of your embrace
My heart has found its song.
I rise to see a brand new day.
Your strength has made me strong.
I’m not alone within the world
For still you clasp my hand
You set upon my face your smile;
I know you understand.

I Will Guide Thee with Mine Eye

In times of struggle, deep distress
I – Your Everlasting Rest.
The death arrows shall not come nigh –
I will guide thee with Mine eye.

In times of hurt, stinging pain
Your bleeding heart I will sustain.
I count each tear that you may cry –
I will guide thee with Mine eye.

In times of questions, decisions knock.
I – Your Everlasting Rock.
When you wonder “when?” or “why?” –
I will guide thee with Mine eye.


Based on Psalm 32:8
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, April 12, 2008
All rights reserved.

The Lord Upholdeth Me

Though I fall, still I shall stand;
The Lord upholdeth me
By His strong arm and by His hand;
The Lord upholdeth me.
I shall not fear the dark of night,
The dangers of the battle fight,
For on this I’ve fixed my sight:
The Lord upholdeth me.


Based on Psalm 37:24
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, April 7, 2008
All rights reserved.

His Promises are Certain

His promises are certain
Firm ‘till the very end.
He will be ever with thee;
Jesus will be thy friend.
Nothing can from Him sever
He’s near both night and day.
For His blood washes ev’ry sinner’s sin away.


Chorus:
Praise Him for His promises are certain
Praise Him for in all He changes not.
He giveth blessings that long you have sought.
He is always faithful to His people
He will always walk the path with thee.
So with Him I will face the conflict singing joyfully.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 30, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: Wonderful Grace of Jesus

My Strength in the Day

The day has been long, but the Lord lasted longer
Than any struggle or trial I faced.
For ev’ry moment He gave me His mercy
Each situation was blessed by His grace.
For He is my strength, and I trust in Him only.
He ev’ry burden so lovingly bears
And so, I rejoice in His life everlasting
O, how great it is to know that Jesus cares!


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 20, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: He Giveth More Grace when the Burdens Grow Greater

There Ariseth Light

There ariseth light in the darkness
To them who walk upright
The Lord shall fix their hearts
By faith walk they, not sight.
Trusting the Lord, they shall not be
Moved from their way.
Fearing not men or tidings
Of the evil day.
There ariseth light in the darkness
Gracious, compassionate, he.
The light in the darkness is Jesus,
And He shall walk with me.

Based on Psalm 112:4, 6-8
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 23, 2008
All rights reserved.

Before

Before ye call I hear thy cry.
Before the world was formed, was I.
Before thee I will go always.
Before ye rise, I know thy way.
Before Thy birth I knit thy form.
Before the sunshine comes the storm.
Before ye think I know thy thoughts
Before ye sinned thy soul was bought.
Before ye speak I know each word
Before all else I AM thy LORD.


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 18, 2008
Based on Isaiah 65:24
All rights reserved.

Jesus - Hope So Sure and Strong

Through the storms of doubt assail
I have hope within the Veil.
Sure and Steadfast, without fail,
Hope of death, joy of life – Jesus Christ.
Chorus

Chorus:
Jesus – Hope so Sure and Strong
Steadfast through the danger long,
Through the darkness my Sweet Song,
Lord to Thee, alone, I belong.

Thou the Anchor of my soul
Through the sea is in turmoil.
By Thee, I’ll walk Heaven’s soil.
Future Rock, Hold of Past – First and Last.
Chorus

Through the mountains, thou my Guide
Keep me safely by Thy side.
In me, I in Thee, abide.
Joyous Stroll, Peaceful Climb – Thou art Mine!
Chorus



Based on Hebrews 6:17-20
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 6, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: Just a Closer Walk with Thee

I Will Seek

I will seek the Lord my Savior.
He is with me night and day.
He will not forget, forsake me
Close beside me He will stay.
When I am in tribulation
Trouble is upon my heart
Still I hear my Savior calling:
“Seek Me now, so come apart.
Come apart to meet me solely,
Seek My will and heart to do.
If you seek me so, you’ll find me.
Child, I love and care for you.”

Based on Duet. 4:29-31
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 3, 2008
All rights reserved.

Faithful Jesus

Faithful Jesus, guide, direct me
Through the wandering paths of life.
With Thee by me to protect me
I shall need not fear earth’s strife.
Many pathways stretch before me
Which I follow, which I tread?
I am weary, Lord restore me
Feed me with thy Daily Bread.

Faithful Jesus, guide and cheer me
Often weary still I grow.
Yet Thou promised to be near me
Savior, pray, how shall I go?
Though I only see a few feet
Of the pathway that I trod
Trusting Thee, the steps are sure, sweet,
Each one closer to my God.



Copyright Miriam Rainwater, January 16, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: What a Friend We Have in Jesus!

One Word of Thine

One word of Thine can calm my fearing soul,
Thou whisperest “Peace”; I cannot be dismayed.
For Thine Assurance over me still rolls
And on Thy Rock I am secure and stayed.
One word of Thine can calm each doubt and fear,
Thou whisperest “Peace”; I know that Thou art near.

One word of Thine can bring my wand’ring heart
Back to the fold where Thou in patience waits.
Thou whisperest “Grace”; and sets my soul apart
Thy full forgiveness is the diff’ring trait.
One word of Thine can bring me back to Thee.
Thou whisperest “Grace”; from sin I now am free.

One word of Thine can grasp my shaking hand.
Thou whisperest “Come”; walkest the road with me.
Thy word hath promised perfect is Thy plan
Therefore I follow, holding tight to Thee.
One word of Thine can lead me through the night.
Thou whisperest “Come”; I press toward Heaven’s light.

One word of Thine can lead my unsure feet.
Thou whisperest “Trust”, in faith I step ahead.
Through mountains, valleys, everywhere is sweet
Where Jesus is. By Him my soul is fed.
One word of Thine can guide me all the way
Thou whisperest “Trust”; Thou art my strength and stay.

One word of Thine, nay, six I long to hear:
“Well done, my child!” and these two: “Welcome home!”
So toward the mark I press, I persevere.
That I might bring Thee glory, Thou alone!
One word of Thine I’ll hear with earth behind
When Thou wilt whisper “Joy”; Lord, I am Thine!



Copyright Miriam Rainwater, January 15, 2008
All rights reserved.
Opt. Tune: Be Still My Soul

What I Can Do in Thee

Who art thou who is afraid;
My child, why fearest Thee?
For even I, the Lord, Thy God,
Is He that comforts Thee,
Is He that comforts Thee.

Ye need not fear a host by night
A mite of harm by day.
For I, the Lord, am Thy Defense
Thy Everlasting Stay,
Thy Everlasting Stay.

I am the God that teachest Thee
In the ways Thou shouldest go.
And if Ye hearken unto me
I’ll wash you white as snow,
I’ll wash you white as snow.

If Thou shalt walk within my ways
And make My plans your choice.
In my righteousness and in My name
Shalt Thou evermore rejoice,
Shalt Thou evermore rejoice.


Opt. tune: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
Based on Is. 48:17, Is.51:12, Ps. 89:15-16, 18, 20, Ps. 91
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 23, 2007
All rights reserved.

O Lord, Your Assurance

O Lord, Your assurance, Your peace, they are sweet;
I come with my trouble and lay at Your feet.
For You are my Comfort in sorrow and pain
My strength in my trouble, my heart You sustain.

O Lord, Your rich blessings are mine through the Lamb
For I am a child of the King, the I AM.
My Savoir, I love You; O teach me and guide.
O Jesus, I plead that You stay by my side.

O Lord, Your strong promise resounds in my soul
As all of my life I yield to Your control:
“Child, I will not leave you, but close by your side,
I’ll lead you in truth and within you abide.”


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, August 8, 2006
All rights reserved.

A Walk with God

A Walk with God

March 28, 2006

I took a walk with God today

Among the wonders of His hands.

Though most seemed small, each one told

The power of His perfect plans.

So intricate the flower buds

How swift and smooth the blue bird’s flight,

How beautiful the touch of spring

While bringing to the earth new life1

The daffodils showed forth His love

As tulips sounded forth His praise.

How beautiful the passing rain

That veiled the mountain tops in haze.

Such little things they often seen

Yet each one has it’s place.

In their Father’s loving will

To crown His works with grace.

‘Tis so with all creation

Each one has a special part

And He will guide and use them

If they only seek His heart.

If somewhere in your thinking

You’re just a flower in the sod.

I encourage you to seek His heart

And take a walk with God.