The ground is emptied

Not many days past
the ground cover
was snow.

Not the
pure white freshly fallen
variety
that beautifies
God's glorious landscape
But
the filthy dirty
kind
that sits around,
reminding us
of a fallen world
filled with
sin and misery

The ground
covered with snow
is emptied...

God's creation --
the Sun --
its warmth
enveloped the earth
bringing about
a transformation,
a renewal.

A soggy mess
of brown
and dull
gives way
to glorious greens
of grass
and wondrous arrays
of colorful flowers
buried deep
within the
crevices of the ground
winding their way
to the top ...
searching.

Just as we.

Jesus came to earth.
He was born to bring us life.
He lived among us.
He died to set us free.
He was buried.
He rose again.
He lives.
He reigns.

So we too can live.

Cathy Orrick Luders
3.16.2010

Lost and found

When we lose
what we are
what we think we are
when ourself is
somewhere we can't find
when we've lost
any meaning
of all we search
within ourselves.

We have things
this and that
to do
but we've lost
a specific moment
a priceless particle of time

Our leisureness
is abstract
our distractions
prevent us from
truly focusing
truly reflecting
truly living
truly loving

Quantity has
overtaken.

Quality
is down the road
a ways; downtrodden,
forsaken.

Jesus too
alas, was forsaken,
downtrodden.

But He overcame
And so can we.
Quality can
rule.

The loss
we feel
own up to
traumatic it is

It brings us
-- if we allow it --
to reflection
of a moment
a time
a lifetime ago

Stark
white
naked

Pure
white
refreshing

Where are you
Where have you been
Where have you come
Where will you stop
and look and listen
Where is it all
Where have you looked
Where will you find

or have you
answered
every
where
there is

have you
found
the where
within your heart

have you
found
Jesus.

All we have
or think we have
matters not
if Jesus
Himself
does not live
within us.

Without Jesus
we are
Nothing.
We have
Nothing.
We merely exist.

Move about
here and there
this and that
but life
eternal
escapes us.

Must find.
Must find Him
Without Him
I cannot achieve,
or hope to achieve,
the goal He has for me.

We lose
a loved one
But if we
do not have
Jesus,
our precious Lord
and Savior,
we lose
much more.

Our very soul.

Cathy Orrick Luders
2.13.2010

The Thoughts of the Unborn

Pain is so real and it's easy to see
It all happens to you and me

I know we are born to die
But at such a young age I don't understand why

I was so young and didn't understand
God would allow a change that I had not planned

I had no control over when I would go
But this I know I love you so

I live in your heart I am happy to say
Always there no matter what you think or pray

I love you and want you to love me
That's the way it should be

You weren't perfect I know quite well
God gave us each other I am happy to tell

Our hearts are melted together and its easy to see why
Our love will never die

For you are special to me
And always will be

Thank God for giving to me
An opportunity for life you see

Mom and dad please don't be too sad
You can learn from your mistakes for which I am glad

And if another child should come your way
Do what is right is all I can say

You didn't steal eternity from me
For I am a creation of God you see

No one is righteous before our dear Savior
Our thoughts are wrong including our behavior

Because of everything we do or say
That only leaves us one option---to pray

Dear God because I am guilty of not doing right
I ask you to save me today or tonight

Only Jesus can save me from my sin
I think of the unborn and wish I had let life begin

I am crushed and heart broken
No comfort my soul has ever been spoken

The blood of Jesus is all that can cleanse me
I want to do what is right and please God within me

All wrongs have equal weight on God's judgment scale
Even stealing a pencil can send us to hell

All of us do wrong and compare ourselves with others
We are not more righteous* than hysterical pregnant mothers

And if most women-with-child was loved by the child's father
She would smile and happily say "No abortion" why bother

You have hidden or damaged emotions buried in a sea of pain
Release them and you have everything to gain
Ask God and the person you mated with to forgive you
Forgive yourself and live the abundant life.

*Romans 3:10,12

© 2008 ArthurTrafford.com Arthur@ArthurTrafford.com
Reprinted with permission

Hope