Granny dream

Live in granny
rock my babies
watch input
refine output
increase godly input
teach respect
how to deal with all the disses of life
how to live together unified

A Place, A Home

I desire to be available as needed
yet I need a free place to live
and I have this
yet not enough space to spread out
or take in more

In this place I would contribute if I could
credit, we have none
what about a program
to make a home
in a community or neighborhood
where I could host Bible studies and be
a house of prayer
and serve others

Again, I have this already
yet is it enough?

Reflections of November 27th, My Lord is near and here

My Lord

I see how human effort
sneaks in and tries to overwhelm
by doing anything at all
without continually calling on God
brings lack of peace
and lack of joy.

So now I recall
my Lord is near
and here
and here--

not messing with me
but encouraging me
I love You, Jesus
always and now
give me direction
energy and selection.

Reflections of a funeral in November

Home after Janet's
funeral and repass
was asked to sing
and agreed--
The Lord's prayer
and a song of Shalom,
peace.

Mila and I arrived
5 minutes early
to 35th and Bryant
North--

it's only residential
no church in sight
Jamila called Ray
go south--

Bryant Avenue South
got on Lyndale headed south
pulled over to let Mila drive
so I could practice my songs without distraction.

On 35W traffic stopped
went some
but long stops in between.

Made it to the church more than 20 minutes later

Sat down in a pew
listened for a few
the obit was read
some testimonies given
so wonderful indeed
and humor too--

Then the minister spoke
then released the congregation--

No song sung
no notice given
I told Mila
it was only willingness required of me
would I do as they asked?
of course, for Janet.

So proud of my children
first one, then the other
and Jamila surprised me
when she said she would speak
as she'd said just a few moments earlier
when I asked
no, she didn't like publicly speaking--

But, she waited her turn behind a rambling man
and she spoke so truly
of who grandma was
spending time with her
taught her to accept
show mercy and forgive--

Ah yes, even this
prompted aunt Carolyn
to say to forgive
and then Clifton told a story of
how when Janet's purse was snatched
shortly after cashing a check
a couple young men had seen
and they chased down that young man and beat him
they made him return Janet's cash in person--

And the story goes
Janet did not rebuke or shame him
but took him under her wing
she was a woman of compassion--

But was this a true story?
or embellished and grown
God only knows
God only knows

I loved this woman
I believe she loved God
As much as she knew how
Yet by seeing some bitter and un-mature fruit
so hard, so sour
God only knows
God only knows

I love her still
and love her fruit
and the fruit of the Lord
that is sending the sun, rain, and tillers...
so that THE SON could be seen in the lives of these and those
who saw such mercy and compassion in this woman
when in fact...it is the love of God that truly
has unending compassion and is The Truth.

Reflections of attendance to meeting for Women on Fire in November

Long drive
Late start
Letting down
Leaving the day behind
Is taking soooooo long.

Neck and back still stiff
Thoughts of You
Float in and out
As I listen to
The worship songs.

Now is the time
To hear some testimonies
Leave me be
Leave me be
Leave me behind
It's not me indeed
I am relieved
It is His love cleansing me
from the inside out.

Starving

There's starving children
yet I buy a necklace and a ring

There's starving children
but I still have chocolate, coffee and cream

There's starving children
every moment of every day

There's starving children
why don't I truly fast and pray

There's starving children
that are starving yes for food

There's starving children
who have no lack of food

There's starving children
who hunger for a parent who will feed

There's starving children
from neglect, yet they've learned to stop their starving with food and more of this cruel world...too much.

There is the choice for Him...

Big as a yacht
big as a house
much too round
and rather stout.

Comfort always have desired
much too easy to acquire.

Life's not easy
yet simply put
it can be done
with a heart filled full
with thoughts of heaven
yet life on earth
eternity minded
the cross endured
my joy is real
even when my face
shows signs of pain
cause my life is not dependent on
a life of ease.

Freedom remains evenso I'm chained
freedom to love
freedom to be kind
freedom to remain quiet
despite the noise of loudness
and the hate for sin
the cruelty in choosing
any choice but HIM.