Tag: poetry

Poetry Sunday: Natalie’s Song

I have been so amazed by God’s wondrous grace in my life.  He has blessed me with gifts overflowing, so much more than I ever deserved.  He gave me children and now grandchildren that are so precious, loving, and kind.  What is more amazing is how I have IMG_1143watched His Grace reach out to teach each and everyone of Himself.  It has been His Grace that lead them to a knowledge of Him. “8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children” (Psalm 103)

What Amazing Grace toward me that He would bless me with the time I have spent with Natalie, my granddaughter.  I hope you enjoy this song for her.

Natalie’s Song

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

The twinkle in her deep brown eyes

The smile that lights her face

Her words at times so deep and wise

With gentle touch of grace

 

She laughs and plays with awe struck joy

The wonder life does bring

With Emmy, Sophie or a toy

Her heart with joy does sing

 

You blessed her Lord with Mom and Dad

A special pair indeed

Safely in their love she’s clad

While gently they do lead

 

As I bow my head today

To seek your presence, Lord

I ask you guide her heart to say

“God is my true reward”

 

CHORUS:

That her light shine bright

In the dark of the night

Let her song sing forth to the world

With a joy filled glee

Your glory to see

In the heart of this little girl

 

Lord I ask you guide her steps

As only you can do

When journeys lead to valleys depth

Or mountains come in view

 

Hold her in your loving arms

To wipe away each tear

Protecting her from all life’s harms

And drive away each fear

 

Let your joy so fill her heart

With love for your dear son

Through faith and hope that you impart

Her victory has been won

 

CHORUS:

Lord, I ask for one more thing:

That her light shine bright

In the dark of the night

Let her song sing forth to the world

With a joy filled glee

Your glory to see

In the heart of this little girl

[bctt tweet=”The greatest gift that I can ever give my grandchildren is to point them to Christ.”] [bctt tweet=”Oh, Lord be gracious once more to me and let my life reflect you.”]  [bctt tweet=”Without your guiding hand and your love, Dear Heavenly Father, I can do nothing of worth.”]Continue with your amazing grace as you touch each of my grandchildren and lead them to a saving knowledge of you as they each reach the age of understanding. 

Do you have a poem to share?  Or a story about your children or grandchildren?  I would love to hear from you.  Click here to leave your comments.

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba.   If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you.  Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait?  An idea for a book cover?  Or a new logo?  Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

 

Sunday Poetry: A Talk with God

A TALK WITH GOD

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

Oh, let me Lord delight in You

And lay all else I hold aside

For no desire could mean as much

As hear Your voice, to feel your touch

And in Your arms abide

 

I feel the safety of your arms

Surrounding me throughout each storm

And when the bitter winter wind

Would bid my very spirit bend

Your breath will keep me warm

 

Forgive me Lord, this fragile heart

Sometimes desires too much

Forgetting You are all I need

Then comes my tears, my plead

To stop and feel Your touch

 

I then can hear your gentle laugh

The love within Your voice

“My child I love you evermore

My gifts on you I freely pour

The best for you my choice”

 

Oh, Lord I want to stay right here

And sit here at Your feet

To never step away from You

And then I cannot lose my view

No chance for fear, defeat

 

“But child I ask then who would go

To tell the wounded broken heart

That I their lonely heart would mend

If not but you, who can I send?

If you refuse to start”

 

Then Father, Dear, I must say yes

To go and run Your bidding do

And You will cast aside my fears

Your hand will wipe away my tears

And keep my eyes on You

 

I know that You go with me now

You’re ever present in my heart

I feel Your joy arise within

I feel Your wondrous strength again

Your love will ne’er depart

[bctt tweet=”A privilege of grace is the opportunity to talk with God; just to sit in His presence.”]

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header  and the picture of the bodybuilder is Ronald Barba.  Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you.  Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

A Poetic Tribute to Our Military Heroes

Happy 4th of July!!  As we celebrate our countries independence; let us pause to say thank you to all the men and women in uniform or who have ever worn a uniform that we might enjoy our freedom.  We need to take a moment and pray for our country and it’s leaders.

One nation Under GodA Tribute to Our Military Heroes

(To All Who Have Served and are Serving)

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

A Hero sat beside the grave

His friend was buried there

He wondered if he’d be as brave

When bullets filled the air

 

A Hero stood beside the bed

A Comrade lying there

“She’ll never walk”, that’s what they said

It all seemed so unfair

 

A Hero walked-some foreign street

The people turned and stared

Some would run to hide-retreat

While others simply glared

 

Did others know the choice they’d made?

Protect, to serve, to save

Whate’er the cost, their post they stayed

For love, their all they gave

 

A Hero walked into the room

The doctor standing there

The saddened face, the sense of gloom

An illness, very rare

 

A Hero stood with stoic grace

Though sadness filled his eyes

The gentle smile upon his face

His broken heart’s disguise

 

These veteran Heroes stood the test

With all that they did do

We must now give to them our best

Our service, Our “Thank you”

Is there anyone you like to specially honor?  Click here and share their story.

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header  and the picture of the bodybuilder is Ronald Barba.  Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you.  Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Poetry Sunday: Oh Father, I Love You

On this Father’s Day, I want to give tribute to all you father’s out there who so exemplify Christ in your sacrificial love and devotion to your family.  I learned so much from my earthly father who went to join my brother in heaven in 1993.  I have written many poems and tributes to him.  One such tribute was “I Am His Child”

Today, I was drawn to write a poem about my precious heavenly Father who has loved me with His Everlasting love, unconditionally.

Oh Father, I Love You

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

Oh, Father I came to you first in my youth

Ready to run and tell of Your truth

I studied and worked to make you so proud

You’d see all I’d done- I’m not like the crowd

 

Polished and shined Your Glory I’d show

From mountaintops shout to the valleys below

I knew I could do it-then you would see

All of my beauty-then you’d love me

 

Then came the years when all seemed so wrong

I fell to the ground-crushed by the throng

Though I struggled so hard with all of my might

Nothing seemed good, nothing seemed right

 

Oh Father, my Father; I don’t understand

Weary and worn by the years in this land

I’ve failed you so often, I’ve made Your heart sad

When all that I wanted was to make your heart glad

 

All of the struggles, the trials of life

The sickness, the pain, the sorrow and strife

I’m covered with scars, the battles I’ve lost

While chasing vain dreams at such a high cost

 

“Dear Child don’t you see it is all as I planned

So, please, my dear child, come take my hand

Your beauty doth shine more bright than the stars

Aglow with a radiance shone forth from the scars

 

Your eyes are so tender, washed by a tear

My Grace to reflect to all who draw near

Your heart that was broken-stripped of your will

A vessel now emptied- my spirit could fill

 

Oh, how I love you, my child don’t you see

I’ve heard every whisper, I’ve heard every plea

It was I who held you in the dark of the night

I sang you a love song until the dawn light

 

I’ve watched how you’ve grown, the love in your heart

That sparkle of joy you to strangers impart

You could not become the person you are

Were it not for the tears or occasional scar

 

I’m so proud of you child, all you’ve become

I’ll shout from the heavens, my child “Well Done”

You’ve been faithful and true through all of your life

Through the trials, the heart breaks, and even the strife

 

Covered with righteousness bought by my son

Redeemed you have been, your victory won

You never were meant to win by your might

The battle was mine, mine only to fight”

 

Oh, Father, I love you with all of my heart

My greatest treasure you’ve been from the start

The Joy I know now, came from all those years

A precious, rare gift  that you gave me through tears

 

[bctt tweet=”God’s Love Pursued Me, Engulfed Me, and Filled me with His Joy, His Hope, and His Love Song.”]

If you want to leave a tribute to your father, please feel free to do so here—COMMENT HERE.

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header  is Ronald Barba.  Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you.  Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Display Thy Glory, Love and Joy

Thy Glory Drawing Nigh

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

The clouds that dance across the sky

The shades of green beneath that lie

Sunlight’s rays stretch from on high

Display Thy Glory drawing nigh

 

The strength and hope as friends draw near

To speak a word of kindness, cheer

To give a smile or dry a tear

Display Thy love—that Thou art here

 

A toddling baby’s laughter, squeal

The wonder, awe of all that’s real

A child like glee we’re bid to feel

Displays Thy joy-so great, surreal

 

Oh, Lord; Thy Grace, Thy Love Divine

Thou art a treasure-precious fine

To think you chose to make me thine

How could a man thy gift decline!

 

Dear Lord, I ask, “Help me Display

Thy love, Thy Grace, Thy joy today.

For someone lost or gone astray

A guiding light that shines the way.”

 

“Disavowing pride, my heart of stone

To humbly bow before Thy Throne

And let your light through me be shone

That Thy Dear Son might then be known”

 

Unto a world so filled with pain

Where sin has left such crimson stain

And Lies of man, a joy doth feign

Where evil hearts thy love constrain

 

If they could see thy true delight

Thy mercies new each dawning light

Thy Glorious beauty shining bright

Thy strength, thy sovereignty, thy might

 

The clouds that dance across the sky

The shades of green beneath that lie

Sunlight’s rays stretch from on high

Display Thy Glory drawing nigh

 

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header  is Ronald Barba.  Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you.  Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.