Mammy Cardwell

Living in a small town

Everyone wants to know who you are,

"I'm Maxine Cardwell's granddaughter,"

Is what I've often said.

For most everybody's known her,

Been touched by her some way.

And everyone that's known her

Has something nice to say,

But she's not just someone I knew,

A teacher I once had,

She's my daddy's mother.

She's my Mammy Cardwell.

Mammy liked to watch us play.

She loved to see us learn.

She held us and she rocked us.

She read to us and taught us.

She let us just be kids.

She watched us grow and have our own.

We moved from fairy tales to deep talks about God.

From kid stuff to real adult conversation.

She loved us, how she loved us all

With a genuine love from the Lord

For she did unto the least of these.

She cared so very much.

She a life that's touched so many

A life that's part of us.

And there's no doubt in my mind

The words He has for her:

Well done, well done

My good and faithful servant.

Well done. Well done.

So now the legacy is ours

She left it for us to continue

That our children and grandchildren

Might be proud to claim us

When someone wants to know who they are.

~Maxine Cardwell October 24, 1921-December 12, 2010~

Prayer of Praise to the Sovereign Lord

Sovereign Lord, my Father, my King, You are God, and there truly is no other. You are the Creator of everything. By Your mighty words all that is came to be. The creation cries out, "You are God!" Holy, holy, You are holy. You are perfect and wise, and Your ways are so high. You'll never get better, and You'll never get worse. You change not because You are God. You are never unjust, but You're so full of mercy. Your grace is amazing. It truly is humbling. You never do evil. You always do good for You're righteous and loving. You're gentle yet strong. From your Spirit flows joy, loving kindness, and peace. Your faithful and patient. You've always been. You know all and see all. It's all in Your hands. Nothing can thwart any part of Your plan so the victory's certain. The battle's already won. I praise My God, my Savior, my Everything. Holy, holy, holy You are. The whole earth is full of Your glory. You gave me breath, gave me life everlasting. You gave me a heart that I could love You. You gave me Your word to teach me and mold me, Your truth in my hands that I might live for Your glory. I love it. I do. Thank you God for Your Word. Thank you for time in Your presence, for speaking to me. Thank you for prayer, this time I come to You. I come in Your presence, I am here with the King. You're glorious and awesome, and You welcome me to You. Through Christ I come into Your presence and live. I come into Your presence and Your glory floods me. Who am I to come before the King? I am Your child. You birthed me and chose me; I'm doubly Yours. You made me and loved me for nothing within me. You loved me, me, and I now I love You. Your grace is irresitable; it's priceless, it's perfect. Praise You. Praise You. May my life only praise You. Take all that I am. Make it all be for You. Empty me of this world. Point me only to You. I want to live my life not for me but for You.

He Wants to Steal Our Joy

The enemy is liar.
The enemy is a thief.
He keep you from the truth
For he wants to steal your joy.
He tells you that you're miserable
That your life is not worth loving.
He steals away your hope
So that your faith will be lost.
He draws you to ponder the negative
So that the good gets pushed aside.
He steals away your time
So that you won't feed from the Word.
He keeps a record of wrong
And keeps shoving it in your face
For if he can keep you from loving
He can keep you from joy.

The Savior is the answer,
The Savior, full of grace.
He leads us to all truth
For he wants to give us joy.
He tells us how He loves us
How life is all for His glory.
He offers us His hope
So that we might have faith.
He calls us to think on the lovely
So that the bad gets pushed aside.
He longs to spend time with us
So that He might teach from His Word.
He keeps no record of wrong
And His grace is ever before us
For if we're mindful of His love
We'll be filled with His great joy.

~After seeing the sad state of so many who live without joy. The accuser has no place in our lives. We are covered by Christ's atoning blood. May we look to Him for deliverance from this enemy that we might have our joy that belongs to us as children of God.

Closer

What a priveledge to come before the King!

What an honor to be Your child!

Why am I hesitant?

Why don't I run near?

Oh, I chat with You throughout the day,

But to be intimate, alone, go deep...

To really enter the Holy of Holies...

Oh I'm fearful I think,

Comfortable to pray here and there,

But I know that there's more,

I'm invited to go closer.

Sure I read Your Word.

I hear You speak to me.

I learn and I'm filled with Your joy.

I'm in awe of You, and I know...

Closer... closer is better

But YOU ARE GOD, and I'm just a girl,

Fragile and human, not holy like You.

You call me to be holy...

You want me to learn from You...

I must go closer to be more like You.

Closer...

Okay Lord, I'm scared but willing to go

Closer...

Hoarding

I've been stacking it up,

Storing it here

So glad to have gotten it,

But forgotten to share.

The Word's what I speak of,

The Word of God.

Yes, I've been hoarding

The Word of God.

See, I read and learn,

Thank God for His truth,

Then I throw it aside,

Move on and forget,

Well, it's not forgotten,

I still have up there,

But I forget to be sharing

Like I'm stuck in myself.

I take all it in,

But what good is it here

If I stack it, hoard it,

Like it's nothing to share.

Lord, help me to never stop

Receiving your Word,

But I pray that You use me

To share what I learn

That I may not hoard these truths

That You give me,

But share every morsel

Then receive more to give.

~after a conversation with a dear friend on how we consume God's Word but fail to share it.

New Journey

A new journey's ahead,
So exciting yet frightening,
Leaving so much behind,
Not knowing what to expect,
But You Lord are Sovereign,
And we heard Your call.
You have plans for these people.
You have plans for us all.
Thank You for sending us
To live as Your servants,
To do work for the Kingdom,
Work that will matter.
When sadness comes on us,
When fear tries to take hold,
Please hold us and tell us
You're still in control.
Remind us of Your plan.
Turn us toward the goal.
Turn our sorrow to joy.
Cast our fear out with love.
May the prayers of our loved ones
Lift us up to your throne,
Where it's all for Your glory,
Where the battle will be won,
Where one day every knee will bow
and every tongue will confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

~for my friends going on mission

I Love Them

They can be wild and crazy,

But I love them.

Sometimes we just need some peace and quiet.

Oh, but I love them.

Sometimes they just need to slow down,

So I can love on them.

There are times they just won't listen.

I still love them.

They are growing and changing,

And I love watching them.

When they trust me and look up to me,

Yes, I love that.

They might make me angry or make me sad,

But I will always love them.

They are my children,

And I love them.

From a parent's perspective: Me and my kids or the Father and His children.

Live My Life for You

Let me look to You alone

To find my strength in You.

Let me live for You alone

To live my life for You.

May it be a life of love.

May I be a witness for You.

May the footprints that I leave behind

Bear the name of Christ.

I want to bring You glory.

I want to praise Your name.

I want to love you more.

I need to love you more.

Kindle the fire within me

That I might burn for You

That I might shine Your light

As I live this life for You.

Papa Byrd

Papa loved his babies,

Both big and small.

And there was something about his arms,

Strong and comforting.

Of course the top of his head

Was the perfect place for a kiss.

And that old comb-over

Great for granddaughters playing beauty shop.

He had a great smile,

A little mischievious,

And his eyes

Were so full of love.

In his voice there was strength

It was deep and sweet.

He loved to sing about heaven,

Sweet Beulah Land,

Steppin' on the clouds

And getting new hands.

Now it's come to pass

Some glad morning's come.

Hallelujah by and by.

Oh, what a flight.

~for my Papa - Wayne L. Byrd 5/12/26-3/5/10