Category: Gratitude

His Words

What saith you, my Lord,
As I sit here at your feet
And wait with bated breath
For your loving lips to speak.

What saith you, my Lord,
To your child who loves to hear,
Your Words of affirmation
That drive out the thoughts of fear.

Your Words fall from your lips
Just like a sparkling waterfall,
That fills this needy jar of clay,
Then helps me stand so tall.

Your Words wash all the doubts away,
That try to crowd inside.
They make me see Your heart for me
As I so silently abide.

Oh, speak so sweetly my Father and Friend,
To all with an ear to hear.
We need your guidance, your care and your love,
Every minute of the day, the whole month and each year.

Nelda Johnson

WARRIORS

I wrote this poem in gratitude to those who prayed for me during a cancer battle. They were my Warriors. God heard and answered! Nelda Johnson

THEY ARE LIKE STARS IN THE HEAVENS
THAT SHINE BRIGHT IN THE DARK,
LIKE THE GLORIOUS COLORS OF SUNSET,
LIKE A LONG, SWEET WALK IN THE PARK.

THEY ARE LIKE BUTTERFLIES LIGHTLY DANCING
‘NEATH SOFT BLUE SKIES ABOVE,
LIKE A GIFT OF FLOWERS BEING GIVEN
WITH A HEART SO FULL OF LOVE.

ALL THESE THINGS AND MORE
SPEAK OF THE BEAUTY OF THOSE WHO HAVE PRAYED,
WHO HAVE SOUGHT THE LORD IN HIS GOODNESS,
LACK OF SLEEP IS THE PRICE THEY HAVE PAID.

WITH ALL OF MY HEART I SAY THANK YOU,
FOR THE SWEET PRAYERS YOU HAVE OFFERED FOR US,
FOR YOUR LOVE, FOR YOUR CARE, FOR YOUR KINDNESS
YOU CRIED OUT AND IN GOD PUT YOUR TRUST.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
FOR YOUR WARFARE PRAYERS, SO DEAR.
BECAUSE YOU ARE FIGHTING SO HARD FOR US,
WE CAN STAND IN PEACE, WITHOUT FEAR.

THE STORY OF STORIES

The heavenly star shone brightly that night,
In a deep, obsidian sky.
While shepherds watched their grazing flocks
As fear soon filled and permeated their life.

Before them stood a holy angel of God
And the glory of the Lord shone all around.
“Fear not,” he said, to the trembling men,
“Good news with great joy, to all, will abound!

For today the Savior of the world is born!”
The great star brightly led the way.
The angel said, “He will be wrapped in cloths
And will be found lying in the manger’s hay.”

The heavens opened to an angel and choir
And glorious praises filled the night air so still.
Saying, “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth, to all men, good will!”

The lowliest of the lowly,
Sinners just like you and like me,
Said, “Let us go and find this baby,
With our hearts and with our eyes, let us see.”

They beheld purity and innocence, previously unknown.
Never before had there been such a One.
They departed to tell all the others of Jesus,
Of Christ, the Savior; God’s only dear Son.

Let us be like the shepherds, Lord.
Help us to faithfully go and to tell.
Help us to stay filled with joy and with wonder.
Keep us always saturated with holy zeal!

Nelda Johnson
Https://giftsfromaboveus.wordpress.com

Thanksgiving

Thank you for the cross, my Lord,
That caused you so much pain.
Thank you for the cross, my King,
That was solely for my gain.
No nails held you, my Jesus,
To that rough hewn wooden frame.
Your love bound you securely
To that instrument of shame.
You covered my transgressions
On that dark and sorrowful day.
The bruises and the blood you shed
Washed the debt of sin away.
You suffered so, for all mankind,
That we might walk in peace.
The stripes you bore
For our life and health,
They tore at your flesh so deep.
We were the joy 
Set before you, my King,
For us you endured the loss.
Thank you, praise you, bless you, Lord,
For the rough hewn, 
Blood stained cross.

Nelda Johnson       Copyright 2020

This poem was composed on the back of the motorcycle on a trip from Louisiana to Maine.  We passed a church in Tennessee with a very tall cross in front of it, near the highway.  My heart was struck by the pain I know the Lord endured.  I am a grateful sheep.

Just As He Said

O Lord, I want to laugh and sing
And dance and twirl
And draw in all the colors 
Of this great big, beautiful world!

And paint this dance
With all the greens and yellows and reds,
So that everyone will know
That it is just as You said,

“Put your faith and your trust in Me,
With all of your heart.
I am with you, I am for you.
It’s been that way from the start.

I am your light in all the dark places.
I am your way when it seems there is none.
I am your hope when words seem to fail you.
I am your joy in the valley and when it’s all said and done.”

You have been that and more,
O, Lover of my soul.
You’ve been my bright shining rainbow
That has restored me and made me whole.

It’s unto You that I dance,
Offer praise and loudly sing,
To you alone my Beloved Healer,
My sweet Savior and Mighty King!

So color me joyous as I dance unto you,
Color me joy-filled and grateful always,
For Your grace and Your goodness toward me, dear Lord,
During what might have been, without You,
Long and gray shadowy days.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

Written after cancer treatment, five years ago. I am still celebrating this beautiful gift of life, with a grateful heart, to the Lord.

Before I Close My Eyes

Night’s rest has now come,
My labors have ceased.
Peace is the air that I breathe.

I’ve spoken with my Lord,
Cast my care upon Him.
My soul is perfectly at ease.

I sit here so late,
With His Word in my hands,
To quarry one last bit of light,

To fill up my mind and
To ponder in my heart,
To feast on, to my soul’s delight.

Sing songs of deliverance 
Over me, my Lord.
Give rest to my weary soul.

When tomorrow’s light dawns,
Let me rise with intent,
To purposefully reach that day’s goals.

Let me walk in a manner
That pleases you, Lord.
Let me shine with the light of your love.

Grant me grace and strength
To meet life’s demands,
Straight from Your own heart above.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

Child’s Prayer

Father, feed me with the finest wheat 
And with honey from the rock, satisfy my soul.
Let the water of Your Word wash over me
And cleanse and make me whole.

You give food to those who fear You, Lord,
You remember Your covenant, forevermore.
Your faithfulness is to all generations, O God.
You show mercy to and satisfy the poor.

Help me to incline my ear
And let Your Words not depart from my sight.
Help me keep them in the midst of my heart, O Lord,
For in the midst of Your Words, I find life.

Your Word breaks the snare
Of the trapper, O Lord!
Like a bird, my soul is set free.
My help is in the name of the Lord, my God, 
For now and for all eternity.

Nelda Johnson  Copyright 2020

My Delight

If the governments of nations are not too great 
For Your mighty shoulders to bear,
Then I know full well 
That the cares of my soul,
With You, I can certainly share.

You lift the weight of all my cares and concerns,
As I purpose to cast them on You.
You grant me peace in their place
As I trust with my heart
In Your mercies each day,
That are new.

All praise to the King, who dances over me
And sings me songs
In the darkness of night.
All praise to His infinite glory and grace.
He is my hope, my sweet peace, my delight.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020

When Life Hurts

You O Lord, give the grace to stand,
The heart to fight
And the will to win,

When the schemes of the evil one
And his well laid out plans,
Seek to conquer, destroy
And bring death to man.

Your grace is sufficient,
Your power supreme,
Your love all consuming
And so it would seem,

No matter the situation,
No matter the shame,
No matter the sorrow, 
No matter the pain,

Yours are able, through You,
Through Your power and might
To stand and to win and to trust, 
While You fight.

Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020