The Shepherd's Tent

 The place by the Shepherd's tent

Is the place I go,

When the burden seems heavy,

The responsibility overwhelming,

The process endless,

The delay worrisome,

And when the struggle continues…

It is the place my Beloved tells me to come

And leave it all at His feet…

Leave the burden, the chaos, the problem, the mess…

And find truth

The truth of how He sees the circumstance

The truth of how He sees me…

It is here by the Shepherd’s tent

That I hear the song that He sings over me…

His words astound me…

Can they be real? True?

He sees me radiant, strong, tender, wise…

And He encourages me that with His help

The help of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…

All will be well…

What grace fills my soul and my spirit

As I drink in this love, this acceptance…

Yes, when I come to my Shepherd’s gate

And give all the heaviness to Him…

He marks me with His redeeming grace

So, I can continue on the journey

To trust in His goodness, His care, and His love…

With restored hope and faith!

My Fortress of Faith

 With this upcoming uncertainty, this unknown…

The apparent report, this ongoing struggle…

I need to hasten to my fortress of faith…

I run there…

And He protects me from the lies, the fear, the anxiety…

It is here that the Spirit reveals truth to me

Strengthens my spirit 

Floods me with His delight

Causing the roots of my faith to become stronger, deeper, firmer…

I emerge from my fortress of faith

Steadfast, confident, declaring the goodness of God…

Anticipating that the giant will fall…

The way will be made…

And that the victory is won!

My Shelter of Love

 So many times, I need to come

To my Shelter of Love

To my Shelter, who is Jesus…

I need to come and listen

To His song, His words of endearment

His council, His advise, His longings,

His desire, His view of the circumstance…

His love fills in all the cracks of disappointments

His love lifts the burden

His love removes the curtain and brings the light…

He is my Shelter of Love

My safe and secure place…

Delighted

I watch you sleeping in my arms, hear your little noises, think about how dependent you are on me for your every need,

And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish, and watch you become!

I watch you smile, coo, laugh, giggle, reach for that toy, 

And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish, and watch you become!

I watch you get up on your knees, crawl toward me, and show me precious new teeth as you smile in satisfaction,

And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish, and watch you become!

I watch you take those first steps, as I sing “Happy Birthday” to you and laugh as you create with your cake,

And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish, and watch you become!

I watch you learn to count, play with cousins, learn to ride a bike,

And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish, and watch you become!

I watch you develop your love for learning, beg to go to Grandma’s house, and play baseball at the park,

And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish, and watch you become!

I watch you give your heart to Jesus, worship and dance in His Presence,

And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish, and watch you become!

I watch as the light of Jesus shines brightly in you, as you learn to drive the car, and as you mow my lawn,

And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish, and watch you become!

I watch as you develop the talents the Lord has given you, serve at church, and walk across that stage to receive your high school diploma,

And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish and watch you become!

I watch as you pray and seek the Lord for direction in your life, choose a college to attend, and as I kiss you good-bye,

I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish, and watch you become!

I watch you lead friends to Jesus, fall in love and walk down that aisle and say, “I do!” And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish and watch you become!

I watch as the Lord blesses you with children, as you discover the joy of being a parent, and as you love, serve and nourish your own family…

And I am delighted in who you are as I love, nourish, and watch you become!

All the stages of learning and discovering in life are a delight to me, because you're a precious gift from God to me!

Your Father in heaven delights in every stage, in every season of your life as well.

He has planned these good plans for you and for me! His love, care, and nurture are ever flowing, and bubbling over…because He is love Himself, and has given me you!