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

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.