At the end of the day,
When all is said and done
And I climb into bed for night’s rest,
I ponder the day
And events that it held
And count myself incredibly blessed.
My life isn’t perfect
Disappointments abound,
Failures around every turn.
Regardless of that
My God loves me so dear,
With steadfast love, that can never be earned.
His great love never ceases,
His mercies new every day,
It’s never dependent on me.
That’s why this imperfect child
Feels so wonderfully blessed,
Because He’s opened my eyes that I might see,
That though I might fall,
His love lifts me again,
Plants my feet on the Rock,that I might sing,
Of His love everlasting,
His faithfulness so true,
That no event of the day is too great for my King.
For I’m kept by His power
And I’m filled with His love,
Trusting solely in His work on Calvary!
He endured the cross for you and me,
And I hold that truth dear to my heart,
No greater love has ever been shown!
I’ve taken solace in that from the start.
Nelda Johnson Copyright 2020
Category: Gratitude
The One
They stood as one and watched from afar
As slowly, He entered their town,
With dust covered feet, that carried their hope,
The One called the Bright Morning Star.
Together, as one, they ran hopefully to Him,
Crying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
They knew when their faith embraced mercy and love,
The sores and scars of the flesh would grow dim.
To be healed and made whole was the hope of each one,
Wrapped in rags, as the dust swirled about,
To be cleansed of the shame and made whole once again,
To be touched by God’s own precious Son.
“Go and show yourselves to the priests,” He said,
As pity swelled in His heart for the ten.
Faith gave wings to their feet, as they turned and went
And watched life return to the flesh that was dead.
No longer ten, but now only one,
Who was healed and cleansed and made whole,
Turned steadfastly around as joy flooded his soul
And loudly glorified God! It was done!
He then fell at His feet and gave thanks from his heart,
This one, which once watched from afar.
“Ten were cleansed, the nine, where are they?”,
Asked the Lord, of those who chose to depart.
“Stranger, are you the only one to give thanks and return?”
“To turn back and give glory to God?”
The nine continued on to the task of the Law,
Humility, gratitude, dependence...
They failed to learn.
“Rise and go your way;
Your faith made you well,”
Said the Lord,
To the one, on that day.
Hear me now, when I say,
Let’s give thanks to the One
Who touched our filthy rags
With His precious blood, did He pay.
Let’s return and give thanks,
Each new day that’s given,
To the One who cleansed us from sin,
God’s only dear Son.
To Him, be the glory, the honor and praise!
He called us and made us His own!
Let our hearts return often to offer our thanks.
Keep us humble, grateful, dependent,
Throughout all of our days.
Nelda Johnson copyright 2020
Victory
When daylight is dimming,
As the sun sets so low
And the coolness of dusk settles in,
My gaze is fixed upward
And my lips offer thanks,
For the many victories
You’ve caused me to win.
Not my might nor my power
Has conquered my foes,
Not my wit or my wisdom at all,
But your Spirit that dwells on the inside of me,
Gave me strength
And caused the enemy’s fall.
Your Word, it sustained me
All through the day long;
Lit my path, gave me peace and made me strong.
Your Presence, my Lord,
In my life each new day,
For that, I do earnestly long.
With You Spirit, Your Word
And Your Presence, so dear,
The enemy’s plan can’t succeed.
And I’ll always give thanks
At the close of the day,
To my Lord, who’s supplied all my need.
Nelda Johnson
Copyright 2020
Seasons
How kind of You, Lord,
To create for us all,
The seasons of the year.
How thoughtful of You
To so kindly provide
The changes, that now are so dear.
Each season is beautiful,
In it’s own unique way;
Like the hands and the faces of man,
Like the flowers of the field
Like the birds of the air,
Like the beautiful trees of the land.
Fall is my favorite,
By far than the rest.
Its beauty surpasses them all.
Fall’s a moment in time,
To look back and give thanks, Lord,
For Your blessings, both great and so small.
Fall’s cotton fields are white,
The breeze is so cool,
Refreshing the summer weary soul.
How grateful I am
For Your heart that’s so kind,
To bless man must have been Your main goal.
Grandpa winter lays
His beard on the hills
In the form of the white, sparkling snow.
And tucks the earth in,
For her long winter’s nap
As the frigid wind does constantly blow.
Like clockwork, Spring throws the covers back
And the earth
Awakens from sleep.
Joy, in the form of flowers,
Springs up.
Green grass sprouts forth, ankle deep.
Sweet showers prepare earth
To welcome the sun,
Summer gardeners preparing to reap.
Summer’s fun brings childhood to mind.
Memories flood in
Of bicycles and blue summer skies.
Once again, my heart celebrates
And I say, thank you, my Lord,
For sweet seasons, that bring tears to my eyes.
Nelda Johnson. Copyright 2020
Gifts From Above 