Poems & Devotions
Lesser Things
The sun gleams in the brilliant blue sky
The breeze is gentle across the field
But my heart is full of lesser things today.
Hurts bubble up from my wounded heart
Sadness crowds my weary mind
But You, Lord, are still with me.
You remind me of your goodness—
That You are very much in control
But You come quietly, full of mercy and grace.
I know these lesser things will fade away
And that my heart will rejoice once more
But today…
I need the solace of Your Perfect Love.
Reflections of Beauty
“One thing I have asked from the Lord…to behold the beauty of the Lord.” (Psalm 27:4 NASB)
Have you ever been caught off-guard by catching a glimpse of yourself in a window or mirror? These unexpected reflections often surprise me with less than perfect perceptions, whether it is a glaring new wrinkle or defiant hair. Reflections are very telling!
I had a friend who was well-dressed – her hair was always in place and her makeup flawless. Yet she was quite ordinary – she was not particularly pretty.
Instead, she was beautiful.
My friend was the most gracious person I have ever known. Her words were thoughtful and encouraging. She put others before herself. She was lovely – truly a beautiful person. And everyone loved her.
My friend had learned the secret of reflection.
Beauty comes from reflecting Jesus.
The Bible tells us that Jesus was not especially good looking – “there was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to Him,” (Isaiah 53:2 NLT). No one was impressed with His looks. Yet thousands were drawn to Him!
Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that everything Jesus did reflected our Heavenly Father. In John 14:7 (NASB), Jesus tells his disciples “If you had known me, you would have known My Father also.” In verse 9, He goes on to say, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
Every thought, every word, every action of Jesus reflected the character and will of God the Father.
The next time you see your reflection, stop and gaze. Look deeply. Do you see God’s character in the mirror? Does His goodness shine through? One thing I have asked from the Lord…to behold the beauty of the Lord. In me.
This Day
Each morning we rise
And stand at the edge of eternity
What will we do with this day?
God’s glory beckons us
To walk in His good works
Do we let self-will muffle the call?
Soon the sunset comes
Another day then slips into the past
What will we bring to tomorrow’s eternity?
Time is forever lost
Only God’s Word – lived out – remains
What will we do with this day?
“The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)