Where Are You Lord? 10-24-12

I searched and searched but couldn't find -
along still waters I was blind.
I was confused, I was dismayed
until I stopped, until I prayed...

Where are You Lord?

Soften my selfish eyes that stray

that I might see a better way -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften my selfish ears of choice

that I might hear Your still, small voice -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften my selfish hands that wring

that can't hold firm to Your blessing -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften my straight and prideful nose

that I won't judge and won't suppose -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften my foolish, selfish words

so I'll enjoy Your singing birds -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften me as a potter would

who'll mold me into what I should -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften me with a discipline

that I might stop, turn, then begin -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften my selfish heart so I

might feel the hurt, the faintest cry -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Were still waters meant to be?
Although I searched, I couldn't see.
Yet there behind me all the way
was Jesus.  Then I heard Him say,

"I AM above all
nature, beauty and goodness,

power, supremacy and holiness,

wrath, sovereignty and greatness,

mercy, compassion and fairness,
grace, knowledge and boldness,
respect, teaching and kindness,

love, patience and faithfulness,
loyalty, giving and happiness,

peace, joy and gladness".

I had searched, but couldn't see -
and I was at a loss -

until I stopped and He found me -

from high upon a cross.

So now it is
I follow Him -
in hands that are the Potter's -

faithfully and steadfast,

with endurance and perseverance,

along His peaceful waters.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Joyful Tears 1-17-11

In quantities, our teardrops fall,

they drip off sorry faces -

resulting from our broken hearts.

We save them in our vases -

for yet another lofty dream -

another selfish rose.

Is anyone the wiser?

Tell me no one knows.

And here, our vases set alone,

still filled with empty dreams.

Oh, everybody has them -

it's just the way, it seems.

It's popularity for some -

for others; riches, gold.

But when it's over, said and done,

their rose is dead and cold.

The tears we shed are endless,

and from our souls drawn.

We water every selfish want -

then later wish them gone.

We hold our very special vase -

we think of only 'me' -

but rather where still waters are -

our tears of joy should be.

Do roses last forever?

There is a day they die -

then scattered are the pieces of

the heart that happened by.

Lost pieces, scattered everywhere -

forever, broken are -

and at the end of shattered dreams,

there's one eternal scar.

When in, our earthly dreams, we live,

regret is always sure -

for when we grow our selfish rose,

it simply won't endure.

I often wonder why we work,

and waste away the years -

accomplishing so little with

such lonely, painful tears.

So walk beside still waters.

Through joyful tears you'll see -

a grace that never wavers and,

a faith that's also free.

And if your faith is watered

and grows from day to day -

there's really nothing more to do -

for joyful is the way.

©2011 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------