Sometimes at night,
I can’t get to sleep
even after counting
all those little sheep.

As I toss and I turn,
there upon my bed
visions of green pastures
float around in my head.

A sudden rush of calm,
washes over me
for in the distance
my Shepherd I can see.

As I draw to Him closer,
I ask Him to cast out
the concerns causing me
in my bed to toss about.

My eyes slowly close,
as my worries I release
soon I am enveloped
in His love and peace.

Sometimes at night,
I fall fast asleep . . .
just by thinking about
being one of His sheep!

~~~~~~~~

John 10:14

I am the good shepherd,
and know my sheep,
and am known of mine.

Psalm 4:8

I will both lay me down in peace,
and sleep: for thou, Lord,
only makest me dwell in safety.

King James…

One of the biggest lessons that my inspiring Dad taught me was to have great reverence for life. Nothing brought this message home more powerfully than the day we went for a walk together by a local lake shortly before his passing.

Although painfully thin and extremely ill, on arriving at the lake Dad smiled and inhaled a deep breath, expressing his gratitude for fresh air. I will never forget his thankfulness and his humility and his great respect for the preciousness that is life. He was a truly amazing man.

Humility

Humility’s the knowing there is much I do not know

Humility is gratitude and going with the flow

Humility is bowing to my perfect imperfection

Humility is showing who I am, it’s true connection

Humility is doing what I can with love and grace

Humility’s great reverence for nature’s healing space

Humility is openness, the willingness to change

The more about God,
I’ve come to know
the more with Jesus
to heaven I want to go.

For I have been taught,
all about His heart
and why in this world
I needn’t take part.

The more about God,
I’ve studied and learned
the less about this life
am I even concerned.

For I have discovered,
it’s all temporary . . .
and over it I needn’t
have a coronary.

The more about God,
I have discovered . . .
that which is acceptable
to Him ~ I’ve uncovered!

~~~~~~~~

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed
to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

The changing of important relationships can be really uncomfortable. It can be tempting to take things personally and to feel a kind or grief as we let go of how things always were and embrace (or not) how things are becoming. Fortunately, when we are able to invite acceptance in, then other doors begin to open. What or who are you letting go of at the moment?

Peaceful Knowing

Resistance to the distance

Just separates you more

There’s effort in persistence

Don’t force a closing door

Frustration, agitation

Though human, just don’t serve

It’s through our trust and patience

that come the learning curves

Within yourself assurance

Yes painful this might be

Surrender soothes endurance

What’s meant for you will be

Acceptance of the spacious

Release of the control

Bring come-backs far more gracious

Wise dignity unrolls

Relinquish your insistence

Take refuge in your shore

Resistance to the distance

Just…

The Lord leads me,
through the valleys and dells
He takes me to places
where righteousness dwells.

It is there where I find,
His guiding hand
showing me just where
my steps should land.

The Lord takes me,
up the mountains and hills
He takes me to places
for me to discover His will.

It’s there where I observe,
the path planned for me
as He directs my feet . . .
to where they need to be.

The Lord takes me,
to places high and low
to make it clear to me
the way I should go!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 107: 7

And he led them forth
by the right way,
that they might go to
a city of habitation.

Psalm 23:3

He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to