What Not To Lose

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. . . ” Luke 18:1

Some prayers I’ve prayed for twenty-four years now.

Oh Lord, thank You for all the evidence I see of You each day that keeps my prayers coming and my heart thumping. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Always

I awake with a prayer
and a praise on my lips
and as the day progresses
I just can’t seem to quit
for there’s a hope lit within
a faith covering what I see
and nothing can negate it
as I wait expectantly.

Learning To Be Mindful

“Then He charged them saying, ‘Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.’
So they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have no bread.'” Mark 8:15-16

It’s easy for me to elevate the apostles and forget that they were human . . .just like me.

Thank You, Jesus, for taking ordinary earthly people and making disciples of them. And here’s a simple poem . . .

The Things of God

Jesus warned them of the Pharisees’ leaven
and they looked upon their bread,

He spoke to them in parables
but they didn’t understand what He said

Yet Jesus didn’t throw up His hands
and simple walk away

He taught them to be mindful
of the things of God each day.

No Shame In Asking

“And with many such parables He spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.
But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.” Mark 4:23-24

I wonder if the disciples felt a little embarrassed for not understanding? Or if they pretended like they understood when they didn’t? And don’t I do that too, sometimes?

Jesus, thank you for not shaming us when we don’t understand, but patiently explaining as we ask. I’ll trust that You know when I’m ready to hear what You have to say. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Hand Fed

When I don’t understand
and am feeling a little confused
You calm my fears
and hold me close
until I get used

to the fact that I can’t always know
all there is to know
but You will share
what I can handle
as I seek and grow.

Sowers

“Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, ‘Behold, a sower went out to sow.'”  Matthew 13:3

In the parable of the sower and the interpretation Jesus gives to His disciples, He never once faults the sower for where the seed falls.

Oh Jesus, help us to spread Your word as often and as much as we can, not withholding it according  to our judgment of the soil condition of the hearts around us.  Here is a simple poem . . .

Open That Hand

Whatcha gonna do with that seed He brought
gonna hold it tight, with all you’ve got
’til you find the perfect place, just the right spot
where you can make sure it grows, as you think it ought
Oh, whatcha gonna do with that seed He brought?