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

Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always?
Always, really? always?
Again you say rejoice?
Always, really? always?
But life is hard;
Life can really hurt.
Rejoice in the Lord always?
Okay, let's think about this.
Life is all about the Lord.
Life is not about me.
If I look to the Lord alone,
The problems fade somehow.
Of course they don't just go away;
It is a fallen world.
Some days are harder than others.
Some get more, some less,
But still the Lord is bigger
Than anything we face.
Do we really love our Lord?
Do we really long for Him?
If we look back at the cross,
If we look ahead to heaven,
Then we might start rejoicing
For we know we are forgiven.
We know we have a Savior.
He suffered and he died.
There was nothing wrong He did,
But He died for my sin.
Rejoice in the Lord always?
Again you say rejoice?
Oh, may I always praise my Lord
Who gave His life for me.
He gave me joy that I might live
To glorify just Him.
Forgive me, Lord, for lack of faith
That keeps me from rejoicing.
Help me, Lord, to walk with you
And rejoice in you always.

Spirit Led at 34 months

We took the kids out for dinner at a restaurant last Saturday evening with my grandfather and two aunts and my sister. Before we went in, we reminded them to stay in their chairs and be quiet. Luke did great. Lydia, not so much. When we returned to the car after dinner, I thanked Luke for his good behavior. He asked what his prize was. I told him that he did not need a prize for obeying, but that his obeying glorified God. Lydia asked Luke if he obeyed God, seeming happy for him that he did. She then solemnly said, "I didn't obey God." I told her I knew. She said it again and said that God was sad. Seeing that she was really concerned, I said, "You can ask God to forgive you." She softly and seriously bowed her head, and prayed, "God, forgive you me. I love you, God. I love you. I will be better next year when we go there." I was deeply moved and thought that I should write this. I believe that the Holy Spirit touched that almost three-year-old heart in a special way. May we also go to the Father for forgiveness and not forget to tell Him how we love Him.

Prayer for Unborn Child

You made this life inside me
To glorify Your name,
To praise You for Your holiness,
To love You for Your grace.

Life is so uncertain,
And I want to pray Your will
So what is my cry for this child,
The longing of my heart?

Oh, sin is here already.
We are a fallen world.
I pray for Your own righteousness
To clothe my precious child.

Oh, may this child be Your child
To glorify Your name,
To praise You for Your holiness,
To love You for Your grace.

~thinking of my pregnant friends and family members and looking back on my prayer for my children during my pregnancies

For Papa

His battle is over.
The victory’s won:
No more suffering now,
Only praise to the King.

He fought a good fight,
A legacy did leave,
Generations he touched
With the lessons he taught.

He worked hard, and he served;
His family, he loved.
His church and his town,
They all knew his name.

So since the battle’s been won,
Now it’s time to praise
The Leader, the King,
Our LORD who does save.

Papa’s praising him now.
Let us join him in song.
Let’s sing, “Holy, Holy”
To the one on the throne.

Let’s wipe our tears
And turn our hearts towards heaven
For the Savior’s due glory.
Let’s bring it to Him.

As we walk on this earth,
Let’s not forget
To walk looking to Him
That truly we’ll live.

~H.T. Cardwell, Jr. (July 15, 1920 - August 31, 2009)