A local magazine announced the winners

of their photo contest. There was some stiff competition – aMAZing entries. I’ll admit, I was slightly disappointed not to hear back about my photo entries…shows you how optimistic (or naive) I can be. Add this disappointment to the still lingering memories of friends mocking me because I used a ‘real’ camera and not a phone with a camera the last time we were together. The mockings, the rejections – this kind of stuff can shut you down and hold you back, but I’ve found that I can be grateful to God for showing me that there’s something in those ‘trials’ that has the potential to make me stronger and more determined to keep trying.

This early morning photo proves that I’m still finding joy in the simplest of things like dead leaves, sunlit on a snow covered porch.

I See You

I see the morning break in streaks of white and gray,

I see shadows shroud the shore today,

I see signs pass by, I see the change,

And I shudder at the chill of this parade;

 

I see waves once diamond-studded, looking dull and cold,

I see hearty, hopeful fishermen dreaming big in their tiny boats;

I see colors floating by on the wave-tossed lake,

I see them twist and turn as they drift away;

 

Lord, You give me hope through all my confusion, ’cause You never, ever change,

You give me hope in each reunion, asking me to keep the faith;

Walking or running, I know You love me; if the sky be gray or blue,

In this Holy roadside view, I see You…

 

You fill all of Heaven and earth, the skies declare Your glory!

The wonders of Your majesty are breaking out before me!

The songs of Your creation tell Your omnipresent story!

When what I see, troubles me, You show me what is true,

And I see You, Lord…

I see You!

I see streams of light struggle through the clouds;

I see the ‘V’ of geese formations headed south;

I see dark silhouettes blowing in the wind,

Perhaps they’re birds or falling leaves, I can’t tell which.

 

I see fragile trees once leafed in green stripped of their summer dress,

Exposed to face what’s on its way in their barrenness;

I see leaves transformed to jewels, then slowly fade;

I see scattered seeds of destiny, grounded for the snowy wait;

 

Lord, You give me hope through all my confusion, ’cause You never, ever change,

You give me hope in each reunion, asking me to keep the faith;

Walking or running, I know You love me; if the sky be gray or blue,

In this Holy roadside view, I see You…

 

You fill all of Heaven and earth, the skies declare Your glory!

The wonders of Your majesty are breaking out before me!

The songs of Your creation tell Your omnipresent story!

When what I see, troubles me, You show me what is true,

And I see You, Lord…

I see You!

Walking or running, I know You love me; if the sky be gray or blue,

In this Holy roadside view, I see You…

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I see You, Lord…I see You!

She’s On Her Way

She knows good-byes,

She knows the sound of silent sighs,

She knows the words to say to ease a sorrowed mind;

She’s on her way;

She knows the present flies,

She knows the future is ahead and not behind;

 

She knows she’s fierce though she be little,

She knows she’s young;

She knows the power of God’s strength to overcome;

She knows her frailties,

She knows her heart can break,

She knows her God is great;

She’s on her way…

 

She knows her heart,

She knows she’s set apart,

She knows she’s called by Love to run the Holy race;

She’s on her way;

She knows the trade she makes,

She knows her weaknesses, she knows His strengths…

 

She knows she’s fierce though she be little,

She knows she’s young;

She knows the power of God’s strength to overcome;

She knows her frailties,

She knows her heart can break,

She knows her God is great;

She’s on her way…

 

I’m praying that she will always know

The depths of God’s great love,

The truth be known, it’s human to forget;

The bridges burned, the lessons learned,

Each place we’ve run from and returned,

Through His grace He proves His love and faithfulness.

 

She knows the past,

She knows He’s by her side,

She knows He’s gifted her with treasures yet to find;

She’s on her way;

She knows the reason why,

She knows there’s more to life than what might meet the eye.

She knows the road,

She knows her GPS,

She knows the in between of not arriving yet,

She’s on her way;

She knows the signs of being blessed,

She knows Who’s with her guiding her in each next step,

 

She knows she’s fierce though she be little,

She knows she’s young;

She knows the power of God’s strength to overcome;

She knows her frailties,

She knows her heart can break,

She knows her God is great;

She’s on her way…

 

I’m praying that she will always know

The depths of God’s great love,

The truth be known, it’s human to forget;

The bridges burned, the lessons learned,

Each place we’ve run from and returned,

Through His grace He proves His love and faithfulness.

 

She knows He cares,

She knows He never fails,

She knows He’s always there to turn her ‘round again;

She’s on her way;

She knows He has a plan,

She knows He’s working to complete all He began;

 

She knows she’s fierce though she be little,

She knows she’s young;

She knows the power of God’s strength to overcome;

She knows her frailties,

She knows her heart can break,

She knows her God is great;

She’s on her way…

 

She knows He’s good,

She knows He’s by the Book,

She knows His promises that lead her as she goes;

She’s on her way;

She knows there’s room to grow,

She knows there’s room to say she doesn’t always know…

 

She knows she’s fierce though she be little,

She knows she’s young;

She knows the power of God’s strength to overcome;

She knows her frailties,

She knows her heart can break,

She knows her God is great;

She’s on her way…

 

She knows her God is great;

She’s on her way…

She knows her God is great;

She’s on her way…

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