Patient One 9-19-09

FOR MANY YEARS they crowded me -
they grew so very tall...
but you, my Lord, had stunted me -
created me so small.

They pushed me off and stole the sun,
and rose up to the sky...
but every year You held me down,
and I had wondered why.

The winds and rain blew very hard
beneath them I was crushed...
and you, my Lord, had gone away,
my silent screams were hushed.

For many years this happened -
and they'd ignore my plea...
and you, my Lord, seemed not to care,
when they would laugh at me.

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So many years have passed since then -
a hundred years or so...
yet you, my Lord, answered my prayers,
and patience helped me grow.

A million weeds had laughed at me -
yet long ago they passed...
and you, dear Lord, protected me,
just as my prayers had asked.

For many years Your little tree -
was pushed around by weed...
but oh, dear Lord, You strengthened me
and met my every need.

And now today, I tower high.
I'm seen for many miles -
but oh, dear Lord, You taught me well,
and humbled all my smiles.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Psalm 37:7 (NASB) Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

If God We Trust 3-27-09

On a hill, on top of a tree,
a leaf so high went sailing free.
A hot air blast it had acquired,
and pushed it up, as it desired.

It flipped and turned on humid air
and tossed about without a care.
Higher, higher than ever before,
it loved the power, wanted more.

Reminding us, lest we forget,
the winds were not done with it yet.
That leaf blew high above our lawn.
Passed on over where it was drawn.

It blew across our grassy field -
down to a fence that wouldn't yield.
The wind prevailed - to free, it tried,
but there it stuck until it died.

The tree's still there, the roots confirm,
that it is strong and standing firm.
The hot air blew and now we know
that leaf was used by Satan's blow.

It flipped and turned up in the breeze,
and filled itself with selfish ease.
Hot air blows deception's air
but don't forget, we put them there.

So when we vote, let's choose the leaf
who's tested pure and not a thief.
For our tree stands and always will -
if God we trust and honor still.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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My Tree Still Stands 3-24-09

The whipping winds, the freezing rain,
it did not understand the strain -
and did not understand the stress
of wicked, wintry colds excess.

Until the springtime snow was melting,
it kept taking earthly pelting.
It held firm throughout the frost
and persevered despite the cost.

Freezing rain was in the air -
yet life grew out of everywhere.
How can freezing offer good
as this tree stands misunderstood?

Does it strengthen, does it now?
Does it make me wonder how?
Does it test me, does it try,
and does it hurt me - make me cry?

Do trees know that life's not fair?
and do they know if God is there?
Liberty and freedom's great -
but it's not easy fighting hate.

Yet sunshine sees (through its appearance),

vast rewards from perseverance -
springtime buds its cheers of joy
and proves this world cannot destroy.

For God alone holds season's times -
protects our souls from earthly crimes.
And though the world claims its demands -
in springtime warmth, my tree still stands.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Knocking at the Door 2-22-09

Can you believe it?? My team is up by ten!!
With this interception, we might just score again!!
This is so exciting - and now they'll run the clock -
but what was that? I heard a knock, knock, knock.

Probably a salesman. "Go away!" I yelled!
(I was MUCH too busy with the remote control I held).
Just one quarter more to go and then it's the division.
Knock, knock, knock I heard again - but I made my decision.

I snatched up popcorn in my fist and stuffed it in my mouth,
and should they win this final game - they will be headed south.
I grabbed a drink, opened it and chugged down half a can.
No one ever questioned it - that I'm their biggest fan!

Knock, knock, knock I heard again. Grrrrrr, "I don't want any!!!"
This is SO important. It's now third down and twenty.
UGH - they scoop a fumble, with a touchdown spike the ball -
now with only three points up, my team could finally fall.

Knock, knock, knock. Okay, that's it. This I won't forgive!
I got up off my special throne. I have advice to give!
I flung the door wide open - gazed with a deadly stare,
then poked my head out quickly - asked, "Is anybody there?"

Silence - 'cept for a neighbor, "Did you see who that was?"
I yelled back, "I do not care - and care less what he does!"
he called back, "Do not get mad - and certainly don't cuss!
The man you didn't answer to was none-other than Jesus."

Jesus? - (my thoughts ran wild) was knocking at MY door?
My priorities I straightened now, not worried 'bout the score.
"He's gone." I thought discouraged, "I didn't hear His voice.
That game was too important - and I had made my choice."

"Jesus!" I yelled out loud, "Come! I really care!"
But the neighborhood was silent, and Jesus wasn't there.
"Did I miss a chance?" I thought. An ambulance drove up.
Men ran through my open door and shocked a little pup.

I ran back to see it all - and I sure got a scare,
for there I was a-sittin' - dead in my special chair.
So my life is over (sobbing), give me one more chance!
That game was not important - as I fell into a trance....

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org

Revelation 3:20 (NASB) "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

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Anchored Soul 2-13-09

If the sea is the world - the ship your soul,
where are you at - and what's your goal?
When storms surge up and darken the skies,
do you know where you're at? Is there fear in your eyes?

Do your troubles seem endless and so overwhelm?
Tell me, "Are you standing alone at the helm?"
Where's the foundation when you're on a ship?
Do you hold to life with a white-knuckled grip?

When the world seems dark, dangerous, cold,
in the storms of life, will your anchor hold?
When shivering rain - sends you into shock,
is your faith secure? Is it in the Rock?

When the cold waves slap at your straining hull,
are you dazed, confused - in your empty skull?
Though the sharp winds slice as a piercing knife,
is your anchor firm from the storms of life?

Do you stay near the shore where it's not so deep?
Are trials so great, you cannot sleep?
When the waves surge over your fragile deck,
I think, overdue - your reality check.

Don't hide down below afraid of the facts.
With Jesus beside you - always relax.
Be bold and set sail! Your life is in hands,
that calms the waters - as He commands....

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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