Memory Ramblings...

I can only remember two Sunday School events from when I was growing up. Both were some sort of Sunday School Picnic I think. The first one was when I was probably 4 years old. We had a new (to us at least) car; a station wagon that I got to sit sideways in the back trunk area on a fold-down seat of some sort. At the picnic, there was an enormous log climbing structure or playground object that somebody got hurt on - I can't remember if it was Tina or myself, but I DO remember the little plastic clown cake balloons that my dad cheered me up with afterwards.

The other Sunday School event was either a picnic or a class treat of some sort and it occurred when I was around 12 years old. Aunt Helen had given me an old poem and asked me to memorize it to recite aloud. I had lots of time to work on it, but by the night before I was to perform my feat of memorization, I had only made it to the 16th stanza. So, I crammed all the way to the Orchard the next morning and managed to get those last 4 stanzas into my head just in time. Of course, 20+ years later, I can only recite the first 16 stanzas without peeking at the paper, but I was able to pull it off the day I had to stand up in front of everybody.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I took Dolly out on a mama/daughter date while I had some errands to run. At some point, the poem I learned came up in our conversation and I recited what I could to her as we drove along. She was fascinated by the story being told and we spent a lot of time discussing the meaning of many of the words. Tonight, she found me as I was moving various kids through the bed-time process and told me she still remembered part of the poem and she recited the line or two that she had picked up from our date. It got me to thinking that I should put it here so I can find it easily anywhere.

After all, it was pretty much my first introduction to written poetry. I was completely captivated by the music of the words and I know that this poem greatly influenced my own writing style.

The Slave-Girl's Ransom

So beautiful, and yet a slave;
Her dark eyes flushed with shame;
Her usual soft and gentle eyes
Flashed at the cruel name.

So beautiful, so timid, wild,
Like a frightened fawn she seemed;
And 'neath her lashes, long and dark,
Her eyes with terror gleamed.

"Who bids?" the auctioneer's coarse voice
Rang through the market-place:
What shame, what terror filled her breast
And dyed her downcast face.

They bid, their voices rise and fall
On her unheeding ear,
Unconsciously she hears it all,
Yet does not seem to hear.

At last 'tis o'er, an Englishman,
With features kind and grave,
Has paid a wondrous price to buy
The beautiful, young slave.

Advancing with an eager step
And pleasure ill-concealed,
He speaks - the slave-girl stands erect;
His voice his race revealed.

"You, and an Englishman?" she cried,
Her proud lips curl with scorn;
"Unfettered by dark slavery's chain
In Britain's freedom born.

"You! whose own people come to teach
Of freedom for the soul,
And bid us live a Christ-like life
With heaven for our goal.

"You preach of freedom, life, and love,
And yet you make us slaves;
You tell us of a perfect peace-
We find it in our graves."

She paused her fierce and fiery eyes
Fixed on his face the while,
And, heedless of her bitter scorn,
He answered with a smile:

"Yes, I have bought you, but 'tis not
To make you slave to me,
I paid the price that I might have-
The power to set you free."

The fiery light died from her eyes,
The flush died from her cheek,
And silently she stood, too much
Dismayed to move or speak.

"Here is your freedom," and he placed
The gift within her hand,
"Go where you will, the ransom's paid,
'Tis all they can demand."

A moment more the proud young slave,
With mingled hopes and fears,
was kneeling contrite at his feet
With sobs and gladsome tears.

"Oh let me be your slave," she cried,
"I'd give my life for thee;
You gave me freedom, now I feel
I never can be free.

"You bind me not with iron chains,
They bind my limbs alone,
But now the stronger cords of love
Around my heart are thrown."

The fair young slave found liberty,
Yet still remained a slave,
And served with true, unfaltering love
He who her ransom gave.

So Jesus, who with greater love
And greater ransom still,
Has bought you with his own life-blood,
Poured out on Calvary's Hill,

Would seek to break the chains of sin
That bind you as a slave,
And with His tender love would win
The soul He longs to save.

Give Him who died, your love and faith,
And like the slave-girl be-
To serve Him, "faithful unto death"
Who died to set you free.

-Author Unknown

Ephesians 1:7

Needy

I need a me to do the dishes,
I need a me to sweep the floors.
And I guess that while she's at it
She should mop them yet some more.

I need a me to fold the laundry
And to put it all away,
I need a me to make the dinners
Each and every single day.

I need a me to take a nap.
To be rested is a way
That I can make the very best
Of 'most any given day.

I need a me to do my hair,
I need a me to pick up toys
Because I really need a me
To hold my girls and boys.

Yet I need a me to tidy up,
And one, the laundry do.
I need a me to match the socks
And one to find the shoes

You see, there is a reason for
The many mes – not few.
It's that when then day is done.
And time for it is through...

I close my eyes and open them
Just in time for me to see
My little ones all growing-
Right up and without me!

It really was just yesterday
Each one of them was born.
And now they're all so big and tall
And soon they'll all be grown!

I want to stop the time right now!
I want today to stay.
I'm afraid of each Tomorrow
That turns to Yesterday.

So I need a me to do my work
While I figure out a way
For Me to spend some special time
With all my kids – and play!

I need a me to photograph
And write the memories down.
I need a me to memorize
And capture every sound.

'Cause when it's all left to wait
To be done by only me,
The precious thing are what are lost-
To sketchy memories.

(composed while doing the dishes tonight)

What Sisters are For

Sisters are for going to when you need help,
They're for talking to when you get overwhelmed.
You cry with them, laugh with them, and what is more..
You pray with them - that is what sisters are for.

They stand up for you, with you, and give you their ear
They tell you their secrets and and each hidden fear.
But a sister can need things herself, so you see
She'll need you to be there, and there you must be.

You'll talk with her, cry with her, laugh with her too
Give her the ear she needs when she's blue
But the most you can do for your sister, I say
Is kneel down, and with your heart for her - pray!

My sister Tina is in the hospital on antibiotics right now - they admitted her yesterday afternoon. She's 5 months pregnant with her fourth baby and has had some kidney problems recently. Right now she's battling a couple of infections, and while she's getting 48hrs of IV antibiotics, they're keeping her so they can monitor her baby too. The stress from the pain was causing them to be concerned about pre-term labour. She should be able to go home tomorrow, but I know life with little people normally can be exhausting.

My littlest sister should be able to make the 4 hour flight to Texas tomorrow and will stay with Tina, Boots and the boys to help out for a couple of weeks. As for the rest of us, we can pray for a quick recovery, a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.

I just have to remember it's not the only thing left that I can do, but the most that can be done for her - to pray!

To Be a Mother...

A couple months ago, Chasm's Lady had her baby and I was invited to attend a welcoming shower for little Sparkle*. Each lady was requested to bring some sort of 'advice' on being a mother as sort of a group gift. And I thought, "HA! Me? give advice?! I still need some (or rather, more than some) myself."

So for a few weeks I hemmed and hawed, and thought clouds of smoke out my ears until the night before the shower. Finally I wrote this and decided I should post it as a Mother's Day post later on. It's really just me talking to myself more than anything else, but I kindof like how it turned out.

The Mother You Were Meant to Be

When raising little people,
There's so often much to do.
Take time to stop and listen,
Laugh and smile too.

Be the first to say, “I love you,”
And when things go awry
Show patience and forgiveness
When tempers start to fly.

Give hugs and kisses often,
But remember to stay firm
On all the things you tell them,
Because they need to learn.

Enjoy these little people
The moments will go fast
And it won't be long before
They're just memories from the past

Win over their affection,
And teach them while you can
To hear the One who guides
Them with a loving hand.

Lead their hearts to Jesus
Because you love them so.
It's the privilege of a mother
And you'll have to let them go.

If He's the One who owns them
You'll be comforted to see,
You've done all, and were the mother
That you were meant to be.

* A.R.C --> Arc --> Spark --> Sparkle. She's bright-eyed and beautiful, so in other places she's called Ruth or Banana, but here you'll probably see her as Sparkle.

"Dear Diary," January 4th, 2000

I was reading through some old journal entries, and thought you might enjoy this one. :)

January 4th, 1999 2000

"As you might have noticed, I corrected the date. That happens to be the second time! But who can blame you, when for 360 days you wrote '1999'? Eventually we do get it, since you don't see anyone still writing '1997' or something like that!

Originally I was going to complete my last entry, but I can't remember what exactly I was going to say and it wasn't quite yesterday, since its only 2:30am. (From the 1st to the 4th). My purpose this time is to copy a new poem that I wrote. I am rather proud of it.

I was writing to Becky in her journal, and I ended up going through the 100 or so letters I have in here from her. then all of a sudden I had the perfect words for my favorite Bible picture of our friendship. So, in a minute you'll hear them (I mean read 'em).

But first, let me tell you, I woke THREE of my siblings to get a general opinion. First Ginny - her answer was three "um hum's". Ike's was only two and a "that's good.". And Tina's was a little more detailed than Ike's but still the same line of thought. (After she finished telling me she was looking for the wood for the fireplace in her bedroom.) Here's my poem:

God Gave A Friendship

God gave a special friendship
To two boys in days of old.
Their friendship was more valuable
Than gems or worlds of gold.

They were closer than brothers
And the reason is clearly seen,
They had a common object-
God had given them this thing.

They loved the Lord their God.
That made all the difference, see?
One was heir to the nation's throne-
The other, king would be.

There were no bitter feelings
Even though they both knew.
For the heir had said to his friend,
'I shall be next unto you.'

These two boys, whose friendship
Was more than death is strong,
Stayed friends in all manners truest
Even after one had gone.

Many years later - centuries in fact,
God gave another friendship.
Almost as true as the boys' of old,
To girls this time he gave it.

Through trials truly sore
Their friendship never wavered,
For they had a common object-
And it was this they savored.

The Lord their God was the One
Who tied their hearts together,
Who made their special friendship
That lasted for forever.

Now, I've stated my point and if my mom finds out I was up at 3am, she'd kill me. So, good night!"

THE END

Lost Lambs

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

"Like a Little Wandering Lamb"

Like a little wandering lamb,
Lost upon the hils I am;
Like a shepherd Jesus stands,
Holding out His blessed hands.

"Come," He says, "Come back to Me,
Little lamb, I died for thee;
I will take thee to My home;
Little lamb, I pray thee, come.

"Though thou has a wayward will,
Little lamb, I love thee still;
Come to Me and be forgiven;
I will bear thee safe to heaven.

"I would have thee lie at rest,
Little lamb, upon My breast;
Thou shalt be My sweet delight
All the day and all the night."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There's a little lamb that the Shepherd is seeking. Please pray for me that I would have the wisdom needed to be His tool.

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Luke 19:10

Thoughts of the Heart

Thoughts of the Heart
12/13/07

Little fingers, little feet;
So mischivous - Yet so sweet.
Lots of work and lots of joy:
To have and love my girls and boy!

Never quiet, never dull-
Every moment is so full.
Fun Adventures, some close calls;
Part of growing are the falls.

Constant learning how to be
A better Mother to my three.
I am thankful that each day,
Starts out fresh - as do they!

But of myself, this I plead,
That to Jesus I might lead-
My little ones - treasured so,
Not just by me - To HIM might go!

Our Wedding Program Poem

Yesterday, The Chatty Housewife's mom (well, to be technical, it would be The Mr.'s mom) was up in our area visiting. When I got a chance to say 'Hi' to her, she mentioned my blog and said I should put up more poems. I had completely forgotten about poems, and recently I've been just dragging. Dragging my feet on blogging, dragging myself through a normal day... just dragging. Anyway, the poem idea sounded brilliant and since I've already done all the work of writing them, it would be an easy way to appease my guilty conscience for not posting anything sooner.

I was cleaning the meeting room on Dolly's birthday, which is why I didn't get a birthday post done for her already, and then Sir and I got a very impolite flu bug that gave no consideration for active little people, and then the little people here stopped sleeping at night (not just through the night, but almost not sleeping at all) due to four more teeth for PC and a sinus cold for Dolly (it appears that decongestants actually keep her awake instead of incurring drowsiness).

So, now that I'm starting to feel like myself again, and the worst seems to be over for my nocturnal children (they actually slept through most of last night! Yay!!), and I have a easy idea for a blog post, I guess I'll get on with posting!

I wrote this poem years ago... I guess it was when I first realized that I was in danger of being interested in Sir. It was the one we chose to put on our wedding program and for that I changed the pronouns so it would be 'our' poem instead of just 'my' poem.

What We Would

What we would our life to be
Only our Lord be our guide,
In all that we do, the path that we take,
Regardless of old-nature's pride.

What we would our heart to be
True nearness to our God.
With child-like faith and honest truth
May we know what our Lord would want.

What we would our soul to be
Acceptable to our King.
Fully filled with His pure love
May we His praises sing.

What we would ourselves to be
In life, and heart, and soul
A testimony for all to see,
That God's likeness is our goal!

The Heart

My computer says that I wrote this poem late July of last year. Since I was smart enough not to put a date on it, I can't prove otherwise. I had completely forgotten about it and accidentally ran into it just the other night. Like most of them, this poem of mine was quickly jotted down and did need a bit of finishing, but I enjoy finishing them just as much as beginning them!

How True Is The Heart?

Do we show Him how much we love Him?
Do we love Him as much as we should?
Can we ever show in fullness-
His love in the way that we would?

The Saviour who died that we might live,
The One who will always love us still.
Is He the One that we would choose?
Do we daily seek out His will?

The Master of Love, our Lord is He!
The One who will always understand.
Do we allow Him in our lives?
Let Him lead us with His dear hands?

Is He truly the love of our life?
How true! Do we even really care?
Do we ever bring back to mind,
That He, yes He! He will be there?!

1 Chronicles 29:18 and 1 Corinthians 2:9

I Love

Here's a poem I ran across in my folders and files that I wrote some time ago. This is actually a revised version, but that's the best part about writing it. You can think about it for a while and then when you come up with a word that will express your thought better you can change it!

Things That I Love

I love the smell of a dryer-
As it tosses and tumbles away.
I love the feel of sunshine-
When it shines on my face each day

I love the feel of the breeze-
In the summer as it fingers my hair.
I love to hear and see the birds-
As they dance throughout the air.

I love to find and lose myself-
In the world of countless books
I love to taste - sometimes to help-
Make things not often cooked

I love so many different things-
Some large and some so small,
But there is One, my dearest friend-
That I love best of all!!
~~~~~~~
"There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
Proverbs 18:24

Pantoum Practice

I couldn't resist giving the Pantoum a try. I first noticed them on SAJ's blog a few days ago and then again on Gramma's more recently. Here's my first attempt at a Pantoum composition. It was way past my bedtime when I wrote it, so I'll blame any mistakes on that. :)

A Friend Unfailing

by LadyCsanyi
There is a Friend Unfailing,
He is everything you see,
For the soul that's ailing,
He says, 'Come unto me.

He is everything you see,
His heart is filled with love,
He says, 'Come unto me.
Come, dwell with me above.

His heart is filled with love.
With tender interceding,
'Come, dwell with me above.
Hear His voice still pleading.

With tender interceding,
He has everything to give!
Hear His voice still pleading.
Believe and thou shalt live!

He has everything to give!
For the soul that's ailing,
Believe and thou shalt live!
There is a Friend Unfailing!

Hebrews 9:27, John 3:16, and Acts 16:31

Little Lambs

Said a precious little laddie

To his father one bright day,

"May I give myself to Jesus

Have him wash my sins away?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh but you're too little!

Wait until you older grow.

Bigger ones 'tis true, do need Him,

But little ones are safe you know."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Said the father to his laddie

As a storm was coming on,

"Are the sheep all safely sheltered?

Safe within the fold my son?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"All the big ones are, my Father,

But the lambs, I let them go

For I didn't think it mattered-

Little ones are safe you know."

.....................

A poem I ran across and memorized in high school. I don't remember the title or author - the author may have been 'unknown'. As I went to bed last night, it popped into my head and I thought I should share it.