Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Things I Should Have Known

I never knew
The reason you were home
During Vietnam
While other boys your age
Were leaving the plains
Heading to the rivers
And jungles
To battle the unknown.
You were 4F,
Thanks to a childhood bout with pneumonia.

Seems I should have known
A detail like that.

Or,
How your parents met
Your first kiss
A favorite teacher
Your saddest moment –
Details that make you
The you I know

I think there are many
Little things
I have yet to hear
I have yet to share
That we both have meant to.
It can't all happen by phone
Even with the best of intentions
Nor should it.
These bits of history
Are best enjoyed
Not over the phone
But side by side
Over many a lazy afternoon
Rocking on the porch
As a breeze carries our words away.

Meanwhile,
We talk about the now
And barely fit that in.
I must remain not quite satisfied
Yearning for more
Until you can join me on the porch again.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Wonder

Angels and carols,
Wise men and shepherds,
A star, a manger,
The Babe.

When did I let go
Of the wonder of Christmas?
When did I lose sight
Of Your majesty?
How could I ever forget
How you came?

Every day,
Help me to see the angels
That are all around me.
Put a song in my heart
So beautiful
That I cannot help but sing.
Place in my life
Those who would teach me
And guide me.
Shine in my life
So that all may see Your light.
Give me humility to serve
All who are in need.

And the Babe
Who became my Savior . . .
May I always wonder at His love,
Be in awe of His majesty,
And remember that He came
For me.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Oasis (Psalm 122:1)

Long I have wandered
This desert
Wondering
How I even got here.
Alone. Lonely.
Searching for some sign of help
But eventually giving up,
Getting accustomed to the heat.

Off in the distance
I see it
(I feel it!):
Hope.
I make my way –
Stumbling in my hurry,
Face down in the sand –
To this sweet oasis.

The Master has been waiting
To welcome me.
“Come and be filled.”
Precious words of greeting.
I am grateful for this refuge
From harsh winds,
Hot sun, burning sand.

I fall on my face
Before the clear pool
And drink.
Living water
So sweet on my tongue
So cool going down
Plenty, enough.
I am filled.

I sit up, lean back
And rest.
The Master
Removes my shoes
To wash my hot, dusty feet.
I am refreshed and restored.

This oasis is always here.
I just had to leave it
To miss it
To truly appreciate it.
I had to wander the desert
And become thirsty enough
To remember how it feels
To drink deeply.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

The Climb

Standing at the peak
Breathing the thin air
Feeling the breeze on your skin
You pant (weary)
But smile at the victory
That comes from a long climb.

You look back
Down
To the long trail of your journey.
You remember
Every step, every rock
That got you here.

Some rocks
Small enough to hold
But too weak to hold you
That gave way
Just as you dared to trust them.
Others
Too large to grasp
With weary, blistered hands
But perfect
For boots to land on
When smaller rocks failed.
Every rock
Only a temporary helper
Or resting point
Because you must move on
Through the pain
In spite of the fatigue
Ignoring hunger, thirst
Desiring so much to reach the top.

Enjoy the view.
All your pain is lost
In your victory.
You won’t miss any of the rocks,
But can be grateful for every one of them.