The Ever Changing

The changing of the seasons

The changing of the tides

The changing of this moment

Change always by and by

Ever moving forward

Constant moving beyond

Never staying the same

Never for very long

Life just keeps on pushing

Keeps on running, keeps on track

Things lost in the process

Things one can't get back

Ever lost in motion

Lost in moment, lost in thought

Ever seeking seconds

Running after what is sought

Don't you ever wish?

Ever pray, ever hope?

Ever want time just to slow down

Just long enough to cope?

Just one more day with a loved one

One more second with a friend

A few more moments with your dear ones

A little more time before the end

Just a little breathing room

A life less filled with things

Time to just be in the moment

A time to stand and sing

Praising God the Father

Raising weary hands

Reaching out for rescue

Begging for strength to stand

Knowing help is coming

It is here, it is now

Knowing He stands with you

Even when you don't know how

Change is a coming

It is constant, it is near

But change is not so scary

When you have your Savior here

He Only Takes The Best

"God is our refuge and strength, 
   an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
   and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 

 though its waters roar and foam
   and the mountains quake with their surging. 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
   God will help her at break of day." -Psalm 46:1-5

In the past two weeks, my Uncle Kenny lost his battle with liver cancer and passed away last Tuesday.  My dear friend Natalie's mom passed away this afternoon.  It has been a hard two weeks all around.

It has got me thinking so much lately about life and death.  How quickly our loved ones are gone and how much we take for granted.  My heart aches for Natalie as I have also lost a parent.  It is hard and my heart goes out to her.  My heart also goes out to my cousins who now have to deal with their dad's absence and the void that is left there. 

My prayers and my thoughts are with all of you tonight who have experienced loss at any level.  You are not alone.  Others mourn and grieve with you.  God is embracing you in strong arms to bring you comfort and peace.  His heart aches with you and He cries for you.  He feels this all as deeply as you do and He wants you to know tonight that He knows and He understands.  

Will you let Him in?

I received this poem in an e-mail on the anniversary of my mom's passing and thought I would share it with you.  God bless you tonight and be comforted by the love that can come only from the One who loves you best.

"He Only Takes The Best"

God watched you as you suffered, and knew you had your share.
He gently closed your weary eyes and took you in His care.

Your memory is our keepsake, with that we will never part.
God has you in His keeping, we have you in our hearts.

Nothing could be more beautiful than the memories we have of you.
To us you were someone special. God must have thought so too.

All our lives we shall miss you, as the years come and go,
but in our hearts you will live forever.  Because we love you so.

God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around you and whispered "Come with Me".

With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and fade away.
Although we loved you dearly, you were not meant to stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hard- working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best!

Camp Is Coming

It's Tuesday.  A normal Tuesday like any other.  I have a little break in between my Title 1 kids and I have a few moments to think ahead at what summer holds.  It has been on my mind constantly since YATEC concluded. 

Camp.

Oy.

Don't get me wrong, I am VERY excited about going back to camp for the summer.  I am excited to see friends, to be back at camp itself and to see children radically changed because of the saving power of Jesus Christ.  It is going to be an impactful summer and I am stoked about what God is going to do through all of us as we minister to the lost and hurting kids of the Salvation Army.

I am concerned that I am not prepared.  I definitely was not prepared for what happened last summer.  It was an amazing summer but I came back a jumbled up mess of emotions.  I closed myself off from friends and alienated myself from everyone else.  It was not a good way to come home.

I am PRAYING that I am more prepared for this year.  I know more of what I am stepping into.  I have a better idea of the challenges that face all of us as we start another year of camp counseling at Northwoods. 

Dear Lord, please help me to lead effectively, know when to get out of Your way and come home more peaceful and less anxious.   Help me to stand up against those things that brought me down last year and to stand on Your Truth, Your love and Your joy through any and all situations.  Help me to reach out and utilize the amazing support system You have placed around me this year.  God, You are amazing.  Please help me to honor You in the best way I know how and to continue to honor You as I bring these experiences home with me in August.  You know the plans You have for me and I am trusting and believing in Your will for my life.  Thank You, Jesus, for being my rock, my strength and my portion.  Amen.

  "O God, you are my God,
   earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
   my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
   where there is no water.
  I have seen you in the sanctuary
   and beheld your power and your glory.
 Because your love is better than life,
   my lips will glorify you.
 I will praise you as long as I live,
   and in your name I will lift up my hands.
 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
   with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
  On my bed I remember you;
   I think of you through the watches of the night.
 Because you are my help,
   I sing in the shadow of your wings.
 My soul clings to you;
   your right hand upholds me." -Psalm 63:1-8